1Jo 2:12-14 | RWP | e4.org | I write ( γραφω ). Present active indicative, repeated three times, referring to this Epistle. For "the name" see ; . They were loyal to the name of Christ ( ). Are forgiven ( αφεωντα ). Doric perfect passive indicative of αφιημ (seen also in , ) for the usual αφειντα . Τεκνια (little children) probably includes all, as in verse .

‏ 1 John 2:12-14

I write ( γραφω ). Present active indicative, repeated three times, referring to this Epistle. For "the name" see 3:23; 3Jo 1:7. They were loyal to the name of Christ (Mt 10:22).

Are forgiven ( αφεωντα ). Doric perfect passive indicative of αφιημ (seen also in Lu 5:20, 23) for the usual αφειντα. Τεκνια (little children) probably includes all, as in verse 1.

Fathers ( πατερες ). Those mature believers with long and rich experience ( εγνωκατε, ye have come to know and still know).

Him which is from the beginning ( τον απ' αρχης ). See 1:1 as explaining this crisp description of the Word of life (cf. Joh 1:1-18).

Young men ( νεανισκο ). The younger element in contrast to the fathers, full of vigor and conflict and victory.

Ye have overcome the evil one ( νενικηκατε τον πονηρον ). Perfect active indicative of νικαω, a permanent victory after conflict. The masculine article τον shows that the prince of darkness is the one defeated in this struggle, the devil plain in 3:8, 10 (Joh 8:44; 13:2).

I have written ( εγραψα ). Repeated three times. Epistolary aorist referring to this Epistle, not to a previous Epistle. Law (Tests of Life, p. 309) suggests that John was interrupted at the close of verse 13 and resumes here in verse 14 with a reference to what he had previously written in verse 13. But that is needless ingenuity. It is quite in John's style to repeat himself with slight variations.

The Father ( τον πατερα ). The heavenly Father as all of God's children should come to know him. He repeats from verse 13 what he said to "fathers." To the young men he adds ισχυρο (strong) and the word of God abiding in them. That is what makes them powerful ( ισχυρο ) and able to gain the victory over the evil one.