God loves each of us no matter at what level of spiritual advancement we may be. But God wants each of to make progress and develop into the most mature servant of God which it is possible to be. Christ’s Apostle John in a passage in his first general epistle helps us evaluate our own spiritual progress.
He said, “I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:12-14 ASV)
By the expression “I write unto you” in this verse John refers to what he was writing in this epistle while in the expression “I have written,” which occurs in the next two verses, (1 John 2:13-14) he refers to something he had written previously. The use of the present and the past tense (Greek aorist) in repeated close context in verses 12-14 is surely intended by the writer to convey a contrast. This gives us a strong clue about the authorship of this epistle. It was written by one who had written before. By use of the past tense, probably he refers to that which he had written in the fourth gospel. The closest parallel in style and content between this epistle and other writings in the New Testament is found in the gospel of John.
The word which is translated “little children” occurs three times in chapter two, that is in verses 1, 12, and 28. In these verses the word is translated from the Greek word, ‘teknion.’ In verses 13 and 18 there is a very similar word. It is translated from the Greek word ‘paidion. ‘ The Apostle John undoubtedly intended to convey a distinction by the use of these two words.
By the word in verses 13 and 18 which is translated ‘little children’ (from the Greek word paidion) the Apostle John indicates one who is new to the faith but one with whom he did not have a personal relationship. On the other hand John seems to have had a personal relationship with those whom he addresses as ‘little children’ in verses 1, 12 and 28 (which is translated from the Greek word teknion). They were a group who were also new to faith in Christ. Probably he had personally helped lead them to faith in Christ. The term ‘little children’ does not refer to the age of those addressed but to the length of time they had been followers of Jesus. That these terms do not refer to little children as far as their physical age is concerned is clear from the fact that the apostle John writes to them. That means they were old enough that either they could read this epistle for themselves or understand the message if someone should have read it to them.
As already pointed out, The word translated as ‘little children’ (from the Greek word paidion) indicates one who is new to the faith but one who does not have a personal relationship with the speaker. On the other hand those whom John addresses as ‘little children’ (translated from the Greek word teknion) were a group who were new to faith in Christ with whom the apostle John seems to have had a personal relationship. Perhaps he had led them to Christ. To this second group of newcomers to the faith he says, “I write unto you, my little children, (Greek teknia) because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” (2:12) When one has given himself to Christ and Christ has claimed him as his own, only then he comes under the name of Christ. It is only when sinners come into an intimate relationship to Christ, who triumphed over sin, that God forgives them for their trespasses.
To the other recent converts whom John had not personally led to Christ he says, “I have written unto you little children (Greek paidia) because ye know the Father.” (2:13b) Jesus has told us plainly that he is the only one who can make God, who is called the Father, fully known. Jesus said, “no one knoweth the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27b ASV)
To the most mature followers of Christ whom he calls ‘Fathers’ (Greek pateres) the apostle says that he is writing and has written to them before, “because [they] know him who is from the beginning.” (Verse 13, 14) These seem to have been men who had known Christ personally. They “had been converted at the very commencement of Christianity, and had seen the eternal Word manifested in the flesh.” [Clarke]
To those followers of Christ who were in the prime and vigor of manhood, both physically and spiritually, Christ’s Apostle said, “I write unto you, young men, (Greek neaniskoi) because ye have overcome the evil one.” He also reminded them of his previous message by saying, “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.” (Verse 14) At the peak of one’s youth, because every desire is strong, Satan has many ways to entice and ensnare those who are at that period of life. But these ‘young men’ through the power of Christ which they had received because “the word of God” was abiding in them, had “overcome the evil one.”
The reason for his message to the three distinct groups of converts to Christ was not that there was any doubt as to their standing or progress as followers of Christ, but rather to encourage them to further achievements and to caution them against temptation from which even they could never be totally free. Just as those to whom the Apostle John wrote needed to make continual progress in Christ, so must we.
The Apostle’s exhortations are also a reminder to followers of Christ in every period of history that we are urged to do righteousness and to manifest love. We are also reminded in the following verses that we are not beyond the dangers which come from the perilous allurements and fascinations of the world.