1 John 2:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}, fathers {G3962}, because {G3754} ye have known {G1097} him that is from {G575} the beginning {G746}. I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}, young men {G3495}, because {G3754} ye have overcome {G3528} the wicked one {G4190}. I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}, little children {G3813}, because {G3754} ye have known {G1097} the Father {G3962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You fathers, I am writing you
because you have known him who has existed from the beginning.
You young people, I am writing you
because you have overcome the Evil One.

Berean Standard Bible

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Apostle John offers a pastoral affirmation to three distinct groups within the Christian community—fathers, young men, and little children—each characterized by a specific spiritual achievement or understanding. He commends the "fathers" for their profound, settled knowledge of Christ, "him who is from the beginning"; the "young men" for their active victory over the spiritual adversary, "the wicked one"; and the "little children" for their foundational and intimate knowledge of God as "the Father." This verse, part of a broader section of assurances, underscores the diverse yet unified spiritual journey of believers, highlighting the core tenets of Christian faith: knowing God and overcoming evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "1 John 2:13 - John's Pastoral Affirmations") is part of a larger section (1 John 2:12-14) where John directly addresses different segments of the Christian community. This passage immediately follows John's foundational statements about walking in the light, confessing sin, and the atoning work of Jesus Christ as an advocate for believers ([1 John 1:5-2:2](/1_john/1-5-2-2 "1 John 1:5-2:2 - Walking in Light and Christ's Advocacy")). The repeated phrase "I write unto you" serves as an emphatic pastoral reassurance, affirming their spiritual standing and accomplishments before moving into further instructions regarding obedience and love for one another, which are central themes in the subsequent verses of [1 John 2](/1_john/2 "1 John 2 - Obedience, Love, and Antichrists"). John's purpose in writing, stated in [1 John 1:4](/1_john/1-4 "1 John 1:4 - The Purpose of John's Writing"), is to bring joy, and these affirmations contribute significantly to that aim by confirming their genuine relationship with God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John is writing to a community of believers in the late first century, likely facing internal challenges and external pressures. The epistle strongly counters emerging proto-Gnostic heresies that denied the true humanity of Christ, promoted moral relativism, or claimed a special "knowledge" that superseded ethical conduct. John's emphasis on "knowing" God (both the eternal Christ and the Father) and "overcoming the wicked one" directly addresses these threats. The familial terms—"fathers," "young men," and "little children"—are not primarily indicative of physical age but rather metaphorical representations of different stages of spiritual maturity, experience, and strength within the Christian life, a common ancient rhetorical device to categorize a diverse audience. The concept of "the wicked one" (Satan) was a well-understood adversary in both Jewish and early Christian thought, representing the source of spiritual temptation and opposition to God's kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** [1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "1 John 2:13 - Themes of Spiritual Maturity and Victory") contributes to several overarching themes in John's epistle. Firstly, it highlights **spiritual maturity as a progressive journey**, not a static state. Believers move from foundational knowledge ("little children" knowing the Father) to active engagement in spiritual warfare ("young men" overcoming evil) and finally to a deep, settled understanding of Christ's eternal nature ("fathers" knowing Him from the beginning). Secondly, the verse underscores the **centrality of knowing God** in its various facets: an intimate, personal knowledge of God as Father, and a profound, theological knowledge of Jesus Christ as the eternal Son, the Word who was with God in the beginning ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word in the Beginning")). Lastly, it emphasizes the **reality of spiritual warfare and the believer's victory** through Christ. The commendation of the "young men" for overcoming "the wicked one" reinforces the truth that believers are empowered to resist and conquer the schemes of the devil, a victory rooted in Christ's triumph and made manifest through faith ([1 John 5:4-5](/1_john/5-4-5 "1 John 5:4-5 - Faith Overcomes the World")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it implies a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge. For the "fathers," it's a profound, settled understanding of Christ's eternal being. For "little children," it's a foundational, personal relationship with God as their Father, akin to a child's trusting knowledge of a parent. It speaks to a relationship that grows in depth and certainty.
* **overcome (Greek, _nikáō'_):: Derived from the Greek word for "victory" (νίκη, _níkē_), this verb means to subdue, conquer, or prevail. It points to an active, successful engagement in spiritual conflict. The "young men" are commended not just for resisting, but for decisively defeating "the wicked one," indicating a dynamic and empowered faith that triumphs over evil forces.
* **wicked one (Greek, _ponērós'_):** This adjective describes something as hurtful, evil, or malicious, often referring to its effect or influence. In this context, "the wicked one" (ὁ πονηρός) is a definite reference to Satan, the personal embodiment of evil. The term highlights his malevolent character and his active opposition to God and His people, emphasizing the real and dangerous nature of the adversary whom the "young men" have overcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning."**: John addresses those who have attained a deep level of spiritual maturity, characterized by a profound, settled, and experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, who is described as "him who is from the beginning." This phrase points to Christ's eternal pre-existence and His foundational role in creation and redemption, suggesting that these "fathers" possess a mature theological understanding and a long-standing, unwavering relationship with the eternal Son of God.
* **"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one."**: This clause acknowledges believers in a stage of spiritual vigor and active engagement. "Young men" represent those who are strong in faith and actively involved in spiritual warfare. Their commendation is for having "overcome the wicked one," referring to Satan. This signifies a decisive victory over temptation, sin, and the devil's schemes, demonstrating the power of Christ working through them to triumph in spiritual battles.
* **"I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father."**: John affectionately addresses new converts or those in the early stages of their faith journey. "Little children" (paidía) emphasizes their dependence and the foundational nature of their faith. Their defining characteristic is a simple, intimate, and trusting knowledge of God as their loving Father. This highlights the essential truth of adoption into God's family, a primary and accessible truth for all who believe.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several potent literary devices in [1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "Literary Devices in 1 John 2:13") to convey his message with clarity and emphasis. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Anaphora**, through the repeated phrase "I write unto you." This repetition at the beginning of each clause creates a rhythmic and emphatic structure, underscoring John's direct and personal address to each group and highlighting the distinct yet equally important spiritual truths he is conveying. Furthermore, the use of **Metaphor** is central, as "fathers," "young men," and "little children" are not literal age groups but symbolic representations of progressive stages of spiritual maturity and experience within the Christian life. This metaphorical language allows John to categorize and affirm the diverse spiritual conditions of his audience. Finally, John uses **Apostrophe**, directly addressing these distinct groups, creating a sense of personal connection and tailored affirmation for each segment of the believing community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "Theological Connections in 1 John 2:13") beautifully illustrates the multifaceted nature of the Christian life, moving from foundational truths to deeper experiences and mature understanding. It underscores that spiritual growth is a dynamic process, not a static event, and that God meets believers at every stage with appropriate grace and truth. The verse highlights the essential nature of "knowing" God, a knowledge that is both intimate and profound, encompassing His fatherly love and Christ's eternal deity. It also affirms the reality of spiritual conflict and the assured victory available to believers through Christ, emphasizing that the Christian life is one of overcoming. This passage provides a framework for understanding spiritual development, encouraging believers to press on towards greater knowledge of God and more consistent victory over evil.

* [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")
* [Romans 16:20](/romans/16-20 "Romans 16:20 - God Will Crush Satan")
* [Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - Spirit of Adoption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "Reflection and Application from 1 John 2:13") serves as a mirror for self-reflection and a powerful source of encouragement for every believer. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is dynamic, marked by different stages of growth, challenges, and deepening knowledge of God. Regardless of where we perceive ourselves to be—whether just beginning to grasp the Father's love, actively contending with spiritual opposition, or resting in a deep, settled understanding of Christ's eternal nature—John's words offer affirmation and insight. They assure us that God sees and acknowledges our progress and our struggles. This verse calls us to embrace our current spiritual reality while simultaneously spurring us onward, recognizing that the goal is always a more profound "knowing" of God and a more consistent "overcoming" of evil through His power. It fosters both humility in our beginnings and confidence in our spiritual battles, all rooted in the security of our relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Which of the three groups—"little children," "young men," or "fathers"—do I most identify with in my current spiritual walk, and why?**
* **How has my "knowledge" of God, both as Father and as "him who is from the beginning," deepened over time?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently called to "overcome the wicked one," and what steps can I take to walk in that victory?**

### FAQ
**Are the categories of "fathers," "young men," and "little children" based on physical age?**

Answer: No, the categories of "fathers," "young men," and "little children" in [1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "1 John 2:13 - Spiritual Maturity Not Physical Age") are universally understood by biblical scholars to refer to stages of spiritual maturity and experience, rather than literal physical age. John uses these familial terms metaphorically to describe the progressive development of a believer's faith, knowledge, and spiritual strength. "Little children" often refers to new converts or those with foundational faith; "young men" signifies those with spiritual vigor engaged in active spiritual warfare; and "fathers" denotes mature believers with deep, settled knowledge of Christ.

**Who is "him that is from the beginning"?**

Answer: "Him that is from the beginning" refers to Jesus Christ. This phrase emphasizes His eternal pre-existence and His foundational role in all of creation and redemption. It echoes the opening of John's Gospel, where Jesus is identified as "the Word" who "was in the beginning with God, and the Word was God" ([John 1:1-2](/john/1-1-2 "John 1:1-2 - The Word in the Beginning")). For the "fathers" to have "known him that is from the beginning" signifies a profound, mature understanding and experiential relationship with the eternal Son of God, who is the source of all truth and life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 2:13](/1_john/2-13 "1 John 2:13 - Christ-Centered Fulfillment") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ, who is the very essence and source of all that John affirms in believers. He is "him that is from the beginning," the eternal Word who became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and it is through knowing Him that "fathers" gain their profound spiritual insight. Our knowledge of God as "the Father" is also entirely mediated through Christ, for "no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")). Furthermore, the victory over "the wicked one" that characterizes the "young men" is not achieved by human strength but by the triumph of Christ on the cross, where He disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Evil Powers")) and through His death, destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Defeat of Death and the Devil")). Thus, all spiritual maturity, all knowledge of God, and all victory over evil are gifts received through union with Christ and participation in His finished work. He is the foundation, the strength, and the goal of every believer's spiritual journey.

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

John 14:7

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Luke 10:22

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him].

1 John 1:1

¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1 John 4:4

¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

1 John 5:5

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?