1 John 2:13

I write. See on v. 12.

Fathers. This is an unusual form of NT address. In the OT the term frequently refers to ancestors (Gen. 15:15; 31:3; etc.) and is so used in the NT (Acts 3:13, 22, 25; etc.). “Fathers” may also be the elders, or leaders, of the people (Acts 7:2; 22:1). Here it appears that John is addressing the older men, whether literal fathers or not, in contrast with the following group, “young men.” The “fathers” may have been long in the Christian way, in addition to being advanced in years, and would thus have attained to spiritual maturity.

Because. See on v. 12.

Have known. Gr. ginosko (see on v. 3). It is unlikely that any of John’s readers knew Christ personally, in the flesh, but all were privileged to cultivate a real spiritual acquaintance with Him. It is our privilege to enjoy the same inner conviction of fellowship with the Saviour (cf. on Phil. 3:10). All Christians should be able to testify with Paul, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12).

Him that is from. Comparison with ch. 1:1-3 confirms that John is here speaking of the Son. At the end of the verse he attributes a knowledge of the Father to all believers.

Young men. John divides his readers into two groups, “fathers” and “young men.” Whoever is not in the first will be in the second.

Overcome. Gr. nikao, “to conquer.” Of the 28 times nikao is used in the NT, 6 occur in this epistle and 18 in other writings of John. The thought of Christian victory occupies a prominent part in the apostle’s thinking. The Greek indicates that the believers had conquered in the past and were enjoying the fruits of their victory.

The wicked one. That is, the devil (cf. on John 17:15). The victory that the believers had gained was not only over their own wrong desires and wayward habits, but also over the malignant hatred and skillful temptations of the adversary himself (cf. on Matt. 4:1). In this age of increased knowledge and boastful skepticism few realize the power of the evil one and his myriad helpers. Men like to feel that they are masters of their own destiny, and forget that ever since Adam sinned all men have been slaves of the evil one. The only escape from such bondage is by the use of the one personal power that remains to men — the power to choose another Master and to yield their weak wills to Him. Christ will then release them from the devil’s thralldom and will control them for good (Rom. 6:13-23).

I write. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “I have written.”

Little children. Gr. paidia, a term that does not convey the same note of affection as teknia (see on v. 1), but stresses, instead, the idea of subordination and dependence, and implies a need of guidance. Like teknia, it doubtless includes all the believers, old and young (see on v. 12).

The Father. That is, God. In v. 12 the apostle had credited the believers with knowledge of sins forgiven; here he attributes to them a personal knowledge of the true God. John stresses this knowledge in his epistles and in his Gospel, realizing that it is essential to eternal life (see on John 17:3).