2:12-14 What do we understand from the terms John uses here for the people he is addressing?
2:12-14 What do we understand from the terms John uses here for the people he is addressing?
It is generally agreed among bible commentators that John is addressing different groups of Christians here, not according to their age, but according to their experience in Christ.
In V 12 children is from the Greek word teknia, which is used figuratively in the New Testament as a term of endearment for followers of Christ. John is addressing all Christians here (cp Jn 13:33; Ga 4:19; 1Jn 2:1, 12, 28, 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21).
Fathers in 1Jn 2:13, 14, are older and mature Christians; those advanced in the knowledge of Christ. Young men, also in v13-14, are younger in age than fathers, and not as mature in the Lord, but are still able to overcome the devil. Their consistent defeat of Satan's lies and deceptions underlines their empowering by the Holy Spirit and the word of God abiding in them.
The term children is used again in v13, only this time it is from the Greek word paidia, which means infants. It refers here to young Christians - babes in Christ. They may not be as advanced in their knowledge of Christ as the "young men" and "fathers", but they know God nonetheless.