So we see in Verse 12 --that he is speaking to little children whose sins have been forgiven
So who are God's little Children ????----Believers
Greek word for Children here used in verse 12 is
Lexicon
teknion: Little child, dear child
1
John 2:12-13, John uses τεκνίον to address different groups within the church, reinforcing the idea of a spiritual family united in faith and love. The use of this term reflects the early Christian understanding of the church as a family, where believers are cared for and guided with love and compassion,also implies a sense of dependency and the need for guidance, much like a child relies on a parent. This reflects the broader biblical theme of believers as children of God, who are nurtured and instructed in the faith.
The last part of verse 12 ----says -----
using the AMP B here
sins have been forgiven
for His name’s sake [you have been pardoned and released from spiritual debt
through His name because you have confessed His name, believing in Him as Savior].
Verse 13 -----AMP
Amplified Bible
I am writing to you,
fathers [those believers who are spiritually mature], because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I am writing to you,
young men [those believers who are growing in spiritual maturity], because you have been victorious
and have overcome the evil one. I have
written to you, children [those who are new believers, those spiritually immature], because you have come to know the Father.
I Say --------This gives you the different levels of maturity of that true Christians start at and mature to -----and the person has to want to and take the initiative to mature in their Faith walk with Christ ---this progress does not happen automatically -----this takes much practice and work from the Believer to obtain the different levels of Maturity ---and of course no one will ever reach perfection as the believers Flesh remains weak ----and will always fall short but Grace is there for the Believer to call upon for help to stay sin free as much as possible -----MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT -----Jesus is Grace ----Jesus full of Grace and truth ------John 1:17
Also this gives you the reason that there are different Spiritual interpretations that believers give as the Holy Spirit will only give you the understanding that you can handle and understand at the Spiritual maturity level your at ----the more Mature you are the deeper your Spiritual understanding becomes ----
Verse 14
Amplified Bible
I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong
and vigorous, and the word of God remains [always] in you, and you have been victorious over the evil one [by accepting Jesus as Savior].
I say --------So fathers here are the Spiritually Mature ---young men here are Growing in their Spiritually Mature state -----these 2 believe the word and keep it flowing in them --they are victorious in keeping the enemy at bay ----
Who is the enemy here -----?????
I say -------this word evil here in this scripture in Greek is
From Bible hub
Lexicon
ponéros: Evil, wicked, bad, malicious
the devil,
or (plural) sinners -- bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked
in the New Testament to describe evil in various forms,
including evil people, actions, and spiritual forces.
I say ----------This lines up with this scripture where God says ----in Luke 10:19 AMPC
Jesus is sending out the Disciples to do His work ====and He says to them
19 Behold! I have given you authority
and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and
nothing shall in any way harm you.
I say ------True Christ-ians need to know and believe who they really are in Christ and what they have possession of in His name ----today there are so many weak Christians running around not knowing the ability they have been given by accepting Christ in their hearts -and Maturing in their Spiritual walk with Him --
They call themselves Sinners still when they are Saints -----and what you Keep calling yourself is what you will become ----
I say ---to True Christians ---
You Can't Stop the Birds from Flying over your head ----but you Can Stop them from Nesting in your Hair and taking root ------
Were they specific to Christians in John's day? How about the present day?
The list here you provide
Their sins are forgiven.
They know God who has been from the beginning.
They have conquered the evil one.
They are strong.
The word of God resides within them.
I say -----The first one applies to all people --believers and unbelievers -----
The rest apply ---
-in my view ---for those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour as John's Gospel points out ---
I say that cause --unbelievers don't have a relationship with God ----they are away from God
as Per Scripture---Isaiah 59:2
Some unbelievers may know of God but they don't personally know God -
Unbelievers have not conquered the enemy --
Unbelievers can be Worldly strong but not Spiritually strong through Christ ---
Unbelievers do not keep God's word in them ----
as Scripture points out that the Natural man thinks God's word is foolish and he can't receive it ----1 Corinthians 2:14