“I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”
King James Version (KJV)
2:13 The address to spiritual fathers, young men, and little children is first proposed in this verse, wherein he says, I write to you, fathers: I write to you, young men: I write to you, little children: and then enlarged upon; in doing which he says, I have written to you, fathers, #1Jo 2:14|. I have written to you, young men, #1Jo 2:14 |- 17. I have written to you, little children, #1Jo 2:18 |- 27. Having finished his address to each, he returns to all together, whom he again terms, (as #1Jo 2:12|,) beloved children. Fathers, ye have known him that is from the beginning - We have known the eternal God, in a manner wherein no other, even true believers, know him. Young men, ye have overcome the wicked one - In many battles, by the power of faith. Little children, ye have known the Father - As your Father, though ye have not yet overcome, by the Spirit witnessing with your Spirit, that ye are the children of God.
1Jo 2:13 Fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. These father have not known Christ in the flesh, but have walked with him long and realized his presence. Young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. The special excellence of these Christian young men is that they have overcome the temptations of the evil one. Little children, because ye have known the Father. These have known the Father, and can say, "Our Father who art in heaven" (Mt 6:9 Lu 11:2).