Book of 1 John Chapter 2 Vs. 13

The New Commandment

 

Verses 13-14: fathers … young men … children: These very clear distinctions identify 3 stages of spiritual growth in God’s family. Fathers, the most mature, have a deep knowledge of the Eternal God. The pinnacle of spiritual maturity is to know God in His fullness (Phil. 3:10).

Young men are those who, while not yet having the mature experience of knowing God in the Word and through life, do know sound doctrine. They are strong against sin and error because they have His Word in them. Thus, they overcome the wiles of the devil, who makes havoc of children (Eph. 4:14).

Since Satan’s efforts are in falsehood and deception, they have overcome him. Children are those who have only the basic awareness of God and need to grow. All are in God’s family and manifest Christ’s character at different levels.

I John 2:13 “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.”

When we look at the three this is spoken to, it is the progression of growth in our belief. We come to Christ as little children. We grow to young men as we learn more about God, and are better equipped to resist the devil. Then lastly, we rest as old men in the knowledge of God.

Fathers

Indicating age and authority.

Have known (ἐγνώκατε)

Rev., correctly, ye know. Knowledge is the characteristic of fathers; knowledge as the fruit of experience. Ye have perceived, therefore ye know.

Young men

Have overcome (νενικήκατε)

Compare John 16:33. The image is characteristic of Revelation and First Epistle. See Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26; 12:11; 21:7; 1Jhn. 2:14; 4:4; 5:4, 5:5.

The evil one (τὸν πονηρόν)

See on wickedness, Mark 7:22; see on evils, Luke 3:19; see on evil spirits, Luke 7:21. The prince of darkness is styled by John ὁ διάβολος the false accuser (John 8:44; 13:2; 1Jhn. 3:8, 3:10. See on Mat. 4:1): ὁ Σατανᾶς Satan, the adversary (John 13:27; compare ὁ κατήγωρ the accuser, properly, in court, Rev. 12:10): ὁ πονηρός the evil one (John 17:15; 1Jhn. 2:13, 2:14; 3:12; 5:18, 5:19): ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Note the abrupt introduction of the word here, as indicating something familiar.

Little children (παιδία)

Compare τεκνία little children (1Jhn. 2:1), which emphasizes the idea of kinship, while this word emphasizes the idea of subordination and consequent discipline. Hence it is the more appropriate word when spoken from the stand-point of authority rather than of affection.

Ye have known (ἐγνώκατε)

Rev., correctly, ye known.

The Father

In His rightful authority, as a Father over little children.

the wicked one... Satan

Twenty-five Works of the Devil

1. Sin—rebellion (Gen. 3:2 Cor. Gen. 11:3)

2. Works of darkness, including moral sedition and sex perversion (Eph. 5:11; 6:12; Acts 16:18; Rom. 1:1-32)

3. Works of wickedness (Col. 1:21)

4. Spiritual blindness (2Cor. 4:4)

5. Stealing the Word of God (Mat. 13:19)

6. Deceptions and false religions (2Cor. 11:14; 1Tim. 4:1-16; Rev. 12:9)

7. To kill and destroy (John 10:10)

8. Sowing tares, tempting, and sifting saints (Mat. 4:3; 13:25; Luke 22:31)

9. Promoting counterfeit worship and miracles (2Thes. 2:8-12; 1Cor. 10:20)

10. Causing storms (Job 1:18-19; Eph. 2:2)

11. Ruling nations (Mat. 4:8-9; Dan. 10:1-21)

12. Executing death (Heb. 2:14-15)

13. Accusing the brethren (Rev. 12:10)

14. Hindering prayers (Dan. 10:12-21)

15. Opposing the gospel (Eph. 6:1-18)

16. Supervising demons (John 12:31), fallen angels (Rev. 12:7-12), and fallen man (Eph. 2:2; 1Jhn. 3:8; John 8:44)

17. Causing sickness and disease (Mat. 4:23-24; 9:32-33; 15:22; Acts 10:38)

18. Causing infirmities (Mat. 8:17; Luke 13:16; John 10:10; Acts 10:38)

19. Causing lunacy and mania (Mat. 4:23-24; 17:14-21; Mark 5:1-18)

20. Urging suicides (Mat. 17:15; John 10:10)

21. Agitating lusts (John 8:44; Eph. 2:1-3)

22. Lying and false prophecy (1Kgs. 22:1-53; Mat. 24:11, 24:24; 2Cor. 11:13-15)

23. Propagating false doctrines (1Tim. 4:1-16; 2Tim. 4:1-22; 2Thes. 2:1-17; Rev. 13:1-18)

24. Oppressing men (Acts 10:38)

25. Persecuting Christians and warring on saints (Eph. 6:10-18; 1Pet. 5:8-9).

(1Jhn. 2:13-14; 5:18; Mat. 13:19).

Christ died to destroy and cancel all these works of the devil for believers in this age, and to give complete mastery over them (Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24; Luke 10:19; John 14:12; Mark 16:17-18). The only works listed above that will not be put down in this age are: all sin and rebellion among men; Satan’s rule of the nations; the reign of death; and continued opposition of Satan to saints. These will be done away in the Millennium (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:1-8; 22:3).

In light of the readers’ spiritual conditions

In the light of all the warnings John gave (1:5-2:11), his readers might think that he was fundamentally dissatisfied with their spiritual conditions. But this was not so. John now assured them that he wrote because of the spiritual assets which they possessed.

In describing these assets, the author addressed his readers as dear children… fathers, and young men. Some have suggested that John here divided his readers by chronological age-groups. Others say he did so by their spiritual maturity. If either explanation is adopted, the sequence - which makes fathers the middle term - is somewhat strange. Moreover, elsewhere John addressed all his readers as children (1Jhn. 2:1, 2:28; 3:7, 3:18; 5:21). It seems best (with C.H. Dodd and I.H. Marshall) to view the terms of address as referring to all the readers in each case. Then each experience ascribed to them is appropriate to the category named.

Thus, thought of as children, the readers had experienced the forgiveness that their heavenly Father grants to His own. As fathers, they had an experience that touches eternity past, since they have known Him who is from the beginning. In the light of 1Jhn. 2:3-6, this implies they have truly experienced fellowship with God. Here again cf. 1Jhn. 2:3 the word Him could refer to either the Father or the Son; the distinction was not important to John. His readers knew both. As young men, the readers had engaged in spiritual warfare and had overcome the evil one, Satan (cf. evil one in 1Jhn. 2:14; 3:12; 5:18-19).

Thought of in this way, the sequence children, fathers, and young men is meaningful. The readers knew what it was to have sins forgiven and then have fellowship with the Eternal One. As a result they were like vigorous young men who had defeated satanic assaults.