John then proceeded to point out other characteristics of his readers again using the same three stages of life to illustrate their progress. Perhaps John repeated the cycle of descriptions to assure his readers that he was aware of their growth and strength in the faith. [source][source][source]
In the first series of three ( 1 John 2:12-13 b) we have the minimal spiritual experience for each stage of spiritual life. In the second series of three ( 1 John 2:13-14) we have the more advanced spiritual experience for each stage. Little children (Gr. teknion, born ones) spiritually all know that God has forgiven their sins, but little children (Gr. paidion, taught ones) can advance to intimate knowledge of the Father. Both statements about fathers are identical because there can be no variation here. When one knows the eternal God the only thing one can do to advance is to continue to know Him better. John initially said the youths had defeated the evil one, but he said nothing of their condition after gaining the victory. They could be weak and vulnerable. However the second statement about them adds that they are strong and God"s Word continues to abide in them. This is a more robust spiritual condition. [source][source][source]
John strengthened the sense of progress in these verses. He used present tense verbs in the first set of sentences ( 1 John 2:12-13 b) that emphasize ongoing action. Then he used aorist tense verbs in the second set ( 1 John 2:13-14) that point to the end product, spiritual maturity. [source][source][source]
"In all the main Johannine writings-Gospel ( John 16:33), First Epistle ( 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5) and Revelation ( Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 21:7) alike-the theme of overcoming is present, and in all it is through Christ, the supreme Overcomer, that His people overcome." [1][source]
Of the28 occurrences of the verb nikan ("to conquer") in the New Testament, 24are in John"s writings, and the noun nike ("victory") appears only in 1 John 5:4 in the New Testament. Thus the victory motif is peculiarly Johannine. [2][source]
In this section John was not saying that his readers were all immature or all mature. He was acknowledging their spiritual development to encourage them to press on to know the Lord better and to pursue more intimate fellowship with Him. [source][source][source]
As noted before, a popular interpretation of1John that many commentators have advocated is that John wrote this epistle to enable his readers to determine whether they were true believers. The questions John raised throughout the epistle, they say, were "tests of [3] life." [4] However in the verses just considered ( 1 John 2:12-14) John did not say he was writing to test his readers" salvation. He said he was writing to them because they were genuine believers. John challenged his readers with tests of fellowship rather than with tests of regeneration. [source][source][source]
"It would be hard to devise an approach to John"s first epistle more hopelessly misguided or more completely self-defeating [5]. If the premise on which this approach is based were true, it would be quite impossible for either the original audience of1John or any of its subsequent readers to possess the assurance of salvation. Since the writer repeatedly enjoins the "abiding" life marked by obedience to Christ"s commands, one cannot really be certain until the end of his earthly experience whether he has abided or persevered in the requisite obedience. Meanwhile, one must entertain the possibility that he is a spurious Christian![source]
"Few errors of contemporary exposition are more blatant than this one. Not only does John not say that he is writing to "test" whether his readers are saved or not, he says the reverse [6]!" [5]8 [source]