1 John 2:12

12. I write I am writing. While I write, my mind surveys your different ages of natural and Christian life blended in one.

Sins are forgiven The entire Church is addressed on the common basis of being justified Christians, 13. Fathers Some of them, perhaps, remembered when Paul and Apollos first preached in Ephesus.

Known… beginning When Ephesus first received the Gospel. As if this were of itself enough, he repeats precisely the same words to the fathers in the second triad in the next verse.

Young men Thus the three ages must be held to cover the whole of life. The Greek word extends to forty years of life and over. But an old man, like our apostle, makes his youngers younger than they are, and these young men were doubtless young until they became old. The term would be rightly understood of middle-age.

Because To each age he gives its suited motto. In next triad the young men have a fuller certificate. They are strong, are firm and permanent, have overcome the devil. They may not be reposing in their laurels, like the fathers, but they are robust, and are in fact victors in their still enduring battle.

Little children Youths would seem to be too old a term to be equivalent to the Greek, unless we remember the above-named habit of the aged man. The word is plainly intended to cover all less than the young, or rather middle-aged, men. And both here and in 1 John 2:18 the knowledge imputed to them is too high for a mere child.

Known the Father Namely, the divine Father of all; who is truly known through Jesus Christ. They were the true Gnostics.