1 John 2:12

KJV

¶ I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

KJV (with Strong's)

I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}, little children {G5040}, because {G3754} your sins {G266} are forgiven {G863} you {G5213} for {G1223} his {G846} name's {G3686} sake {G1223}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You children, I am writing you
because your sins have been forgiven for his sake.

Berean Standard Bible

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.

American Standard Version

I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 2:12 serves as a foundational declaration of assurance for all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity. The Apostle John, writing with deep pastoral affection, reminds his readers that their sins have been definitively and completely forgiven through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This verse establishes the secure basis of their relationship with God, emphasizing that forgiveness is a divine gift rooted in Christ's person and finished work, not in human merit or effort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a significant shift in John's epistle, moving from general principles of fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-2:11) to more specific addresses within the community. Verses 12-14 feature a unique rhetorical structure where John directly addresses different groups of believers—"little children," "fathers," and "young men"—each time reiterating the core message of their identity and security in Christ. Verse 12 acts as a universal statement of forgiveness that applies to all, setting the stage for the subsequent, more tailored encouragements. The immediate preceding verses (1 John 2:7-11) discuss the "new commandment" of love, which is intrinsically linked to the forgiveness received, as love for one another is a sign of walking in the light and experiencing God's grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The First Epistle of John was likely written in Ephesus towards the end of the first century, a time when early Christian communities faced internal challenges from proto-Gnostic false teachers. These teachers often denied the true humanity of Jesus, minimized the reality of sin, and claimed a superior spiritual knowledge that led to moral laxity or asceticism. John's letter, therefore, aims to combat these heresies by reaffirming fundamental truths: the incarnation of Christ, the reality of sin, the necessity of confession, the efficacy of Christ's atoning work, and the importance of ethical living as evidence of true faith. The assurance of forgiveness in 1 John 2:12 directly counters any teaching that would undermine the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice or burden believers with a sense of unpardoned guilt.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout 1 John. The most prominent is the **Assurance of Salvation and Forgiveness**, a central pillar of John's pastoral message, designed to provide confidence against the doubts sown by false teachers. It underscores the **Sufficiency of Christ's Atonement**, highlighting that forgiveness is entirely "for his name's sake," meaning it is grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for sins (cf. [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Sins")). Another key theme is **Divine Paternity and Filial Relationship**, conveyed through John's tender address "little children," emphasizing the intimate familial bond believers share with God as His spiritual offspring, a truth also found in [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God"). This verse also implicitly touches on the **Reality of Sin** (implied by the need for forgiveness) and the **Basis of Christian Confidence**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **little children (Greek, _tekníon'_):** This diminutive form of _teknon_ (child) is a tender term of endearment used frequently by John, particularly in this epistle. As per the Ground Truth Strong's Data, it refers to "an infant, i.e. (plural figuratively) darlings (Christian converts)." It emphasizes the spiritual birth of believers into God's family, highlighting their intimate relationship with God as their Father and John's deep pastoral affection for them as their spiritual parent. It encompasses all believers, regardless of their stage of spiritual maturity.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From the Ground Truth Strong's Data, _hamartía_ denotes "a sin (properly abstract)." It signifies a missing of the mark, a deviation from God's righteous standard, an act of rebellion or transgression against His holy character. The plural form here indicates the multitude of individual acts of disobedience that characterize humanity's fallen state, which stand in need of divine pardon.
* **are forgiven (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** The verb _aphíēmi_ (Strong's G863) means "to send forth," and in this context, "to forgive, remit." The Greek verb is in the perfect passive indicative mood ("ἀφέωνται," _apheōntai_). The **perfect tense** signifies a completed action in the past with continuing, present results. Their sins were forgiven, and they remain forgiven. The **passive voice** indicates that the forgiveness is received, not achieved by human effort, emphasizing God as the sole agent who grants this pardon.
* **name's (Greek, _ónoma'_):** According to the Ground Truth Strong's Data, _ónoma_ refers to a "name" (literally or figuratively), encompassing "authority, character." In biblical usage, a "name" is much more than a mere label; it represents the full essence, character, authority, and reputation of the person. Thus, "for his name's sake" means on account of, or by means of, the very person, character, authority, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is through who He is and what He has accomplished that forgiveness is made possible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I write unto you, little children":** John begins with a direct, personal address, using a term of deep affection and spiritual kinship. This phrase establishes the pastoral tone of the letter and identifies the broad audience—all believers who are spiritually born of God. It underlines John's role as a spiritual father communicating essential truths to his beloved spiritual offspring.
* **"because your sins are forgiven you":** This clause presents the fundamental reason for John's writing and the core message of assurance. It is a declarative statement of a completed, permanent reality for the believers. Their transgressions against God's law have been pardoned, lifted, and removed, signifying a state of reconciliation and peace with God. This forgiveness is not conditional on ongoing performance but is a settled fact of their spiritual identity.
* **"for his name's sake":** This crucial phrase clarifies the exclusive basis for this profound forgiveness. It is not earned by human merit, good works, or religious rituals. Instead, it is granted solely because of the person, authority, character, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross is the singular ground upon which God extends pardon to humanity, demonstrating that forgiveness is an act of divine grace rooted in Christ's finished work.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Pastoral Tone**, evident in his tender address, "little children," which immediately establishes a warm, affectionate, and authoritative relationship between the Apostle and his readers. This term functions as a **Metaphor** for spiritual offspring, emphasizing their new birth and familial relationship with God. The verse also utilizes **Declarative Statement**, presenting the forgiveness of sins as an undeniable, established fact ("your sins are forgiven you"), which serves to provide strong **Assurance** to the audience. Furthermore, the phrase "for his name's sake" functions as a **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire person, character, authority, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, highlighting the singular source of their pardon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration of forgiveness in 1 John 2:12 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming God's gracious character and the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It underscores the profound truth that reconciliation with a holy God is possible only through divine initiative and provision, not human effort. This forgiveness is comprehensive and permanent, establishing a secure foundation for the believer's relationship with God, freeing them from the burden of guilt and shame, and empowering them to live in gratitude and obedience. It highlights the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ as the sole mediator of salvation, through whom all pardon flows.

* [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God's Forgiveness")
* [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness")
* [Hebrews 10:17-18](/hebrews/10-17-18 "Hebrews 10:17-18 - No More Sacrifice for Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First John 2:12 offers profound comfort and liberation to every believer. To know that "your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake" is to grasp the depth of God's grace and the completeness of Christ's work on the cross. This truth liberates us from the crushing weight of guilt and shame, allowing us to approach God not with fear, but with the confidence of beloved children. It reminds us that our standing with God is not based on our performance, but on Christ's perfect sacrifice. This assurance should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude, motivating us to live lives that honor Him, not out of obligation, but out of love and joyful response to His immense mercy. It also calls us to extend forgiveness to others, reflecting the boundless forgiveness we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the assurance of complete forgiveness impact your daily walk with God?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own efforts rather than the finished work of Christ for your sense of acceptance before God?**
* **How does understanding that forgiveness is "for his name's sake" deepen your appreciation for Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "little children" John is addressing in this verse?**

Answer: The term "little children" (Greek: _tekníon_) is a tender term of endearment used by John throughout this epistle. While he later distinguishes between "fathers," "young men," and "little children" (using a different Greek word, _paidia_, for the latter in 1 John 2:13), in 1 John 2:12, _tekníon_ is generally understood to encompass all believers. It emphasizes their spiritual birth into God's family, highlighting their intimate relationship with God as their Father and John's deep pastoral affection for them as their spiritual offspring. It signifies that the foundational truth of forgiveness applies universally to all who are in Christ.

**What does it mean for sins to be forgiven "for his name's sake"?**

Answer: The phrase "for his name's sake" (Greek: _dià tò ónoma autoû_) signifies that the basis for forgiveness is entirely rooted in the person, character, authority, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In biblical thought, a "name" represents the full essence and reputation of an individual. Therefore, forgiveness is granted not because of human merit, good deeds, or religious rituals, but solely because of who Jesus is and what He accomplished through His sacrificial death on the cross. It means that God's honor, character, and covenant faithfulness, as revealed and upheld by Christ, are the complete and sufficient grounds for pardon. This truth is central to the New Testament understanding of atonement, as seen in passages like [Colossians 1:14](/colossians/1-14 "Colossians 1:14 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood") which states, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 2:12, declaring that "your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake," finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the "His" whose name is the very ground of our pardon. The Old Testament anticipated a coming deliverer who would deal with sin (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")), and Jesus perfectly fulfilled this prophecy. His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection are the singular means by which God's righteous wrath against sin was propitiated and forgiveness was made possible. As the Lamb of God, He "takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His shed blood, we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God's grace ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). The forgiveness declared in 1 John 2:12 is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work, securing for believers a permanent and unshakeable reconciliation with God, enabling them to approach Him with confidence as beloved children, free from condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Psalms 106:8

Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Luke 7:47

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.