1 John 2:12-14 - Message to the Family of God

Message to the Family of God:

1 John 2:12–14 NKJV

I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Introduction

Weak Christians are all around us.

Weak Christians don’t live in the truth that they believe.

When Christians don’t live in the truth we see devastating results that we all need to watch out for: no peace, no confidence, act defeated, does not reflect His character, and weak.

So John repeats over and over again the same truths so that we would believe.

The 3 Patterns

PATTERN 1: Every verb in verses 12-14 except (“I am writing”, and “I write”) is in the PERFECT TENSE which speaks of actions in the past.

PATTERN 2: Six times John says “I write”

6 = number of man

Which is fitting because he is writing to the 3 stages of a mans life (as seen in pattern 3)

PATTERN 3: John says “Little Children, Fathers, Young Men” - two times in order!

Little children (v.12a, 13c)

Fathers (v.13a, 14a)

Young men (v.13b, 14b)

During this time often teachers would speak to their students based on age groups so teachers often called their students: children

Children represent a lack of education, status, and authority,

call their students: children because children lack education, status, and authority,

fathers represent elders (because fathers hold positions of honor and authroity) and the young is a reference to the rest of believers.

Fathers likely represent elders of the church because fathers hold positions of honor and authority

Young men is a reference to the rest of believers that are educated but not quite in a position of authority.

My question for you is how would you be classified?

So most likely this isn't written to specific groups but is just a way of endearment to all believers.

This is actually very likely because

John tells the children 2 unique things:

sins are forgiven (v.12)

they know the father (v.13)

John tells the Fathers the same thing twice:

known the Father who is from the beginning (v.13)

known the Father who is from the beginning (v.14)

John tells the young men 2 unique things:

you have overcome the wicked one

you are strong and the word abides in you

Verses 12-14 Teaches 5 Truths to the Family of God.

When I look at this section it reminds me of a statement of faith.

Its like what did that one truth have to do with the next?

The only way some of these truths relate is that they are important truths.

Truth 1

Our sins are forgiven by the name of Jesus (v.12)

The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John Word and Phrase Study

In Hebrew understanding, the name equals the character and personality (cf. 3:23; 3 John 7; Rom. 10:9–13; Phil. 2:6–11).

Acts 10:43 NKJV

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

In Hebrew understanding, the name equals the character and personality

; ; ;

In Hebrew understanding, the name equals the character and personality (cf. 3:23; ; ; ).

1 John 3:23 NKJV

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

3 John 7 NKJV

because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

The result of this truth is: peace

Romans 10:9–13 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Philippians 2:6–11 NKJV

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The result of this truth is: peace

Truth 2

He existed from the beginning (v.13a; v.14a)

Not only does this prove the deity of Jesus (, ; ; ; , ; ; ;

John 1:1 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:15 NKJV

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

John 3:13 NKJV

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

John 8:48–59 NKJV

Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 17:5 NKJV

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

, ; ; ; , ; ; ; ).

John 17:24 NKJV

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Philippians 2:6–7 NKJV

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Colossians 1:17 NKJV

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Utley, Robert James. The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Volume 4. Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999. Print. Study Guide Commentary Series.

The result of this truth is: confidence

Why because

Romans 8:31 NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Truth 3

We have overcome the wicked one (v.13b; 14c)

This is in the perfect, active, indicative. Which teaches us that Satan is overcome by us trusting in Jesus not in my ability to not sin.

The result of this truth is: acting victorious

Truth 4

The Father can be known (v.13a; 13c; 14a)

The biblical concept of “know” involves the Hebrew sense of intimate personal relationship (cf. ; )

The biblical concept of “know” involves the Hebrew sense of intimate personal relationship (cf. ; ) and

Genesis 4:1 NKJV

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

Utley, Robert James. The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Volume 4. Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999. Print. Study Guide Commentary Series.

Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

The result of this truth is: reflecting His character

Truth 5

Strength comes from the Word abiding in us (v.14b)

Notice that their strength is based on the abiding word of God.

Notice that their strength is based on the abiding word of God. This is similar to Paul’s admonitions in .

This is similar to Paul’s admonitions in .

Ephesians 6:10–18 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Utley, Robert James. The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Volume 4. Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999. Print. Study Guide Commentary Series.

The result of this truth is: strength

Summary

If believers lived like these truths were true they would have peace, they would be confident , would act victorious, would reflect His character, and would be strong.

Do you have peace? If not, why don’t you really believe truth 1?

Do you have a confidence? If not, why don’t you really believe truth 2?

Do you act victorious? If not, why don’t you really believe in truth 3?

Do you reflect the character of God? If not, why don’t you really believe in truth 4?

Are you strong? If not, why don’t you really believe in truth 5?