If the repetitive structure and individual groups in 2:12-2:14 are key elements of the writer's outline, then the next step is to examine the rest of the chapterentire passage to see how the writer has connected the repeating structure connects to the rest of the chapter and to the primary message.
Chapter 2 begins by addressing one of thetwo groups found in the repetitive structure:
Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. (2:7-8)
One of groups is addressed to begin the chapter. The writer gives thebegins by giving (teknia) children instruction not to sin and if they do sin, they have an advocate, Jesus, who is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. HeInstruction continues by givingwith examples of how they can tell whether or not they know Jesus. If they keep His commands (2:3); keep His word (2:5); walk in His ways (2:6); love their brother (2:10). Each condition is "either or." Either they know Him and keep His commands, or do not keep His commands and are a liar. (The lie is that they"they know HimHim".)
Instruction to the brethren follows a similar pattern using light and darkness; a brethren can be in the light or darkness based on love of brother. Hating a brother places one in the darkness, loving in the light. The same "either or" applies with a subtle distinction: the focus is on community. In other words, hatred toward one still results in darkness despite a love for another.
Then English translations give the author insertsappearance the repetitive device begins:
2:12 - I write to you little children (teknia)τεκνία - (teknia)...I
2:13 - I write to you fathers...I write to you young men...I write to you little children (παιδία - paidia)παιδία - (paidia)...I
2:14 - I have written to you fathers...I have written to you young men...
The writer does not repeatTeknia (teknia)little children in the structure) is not repeated. The second useIt is not part of the structure (paidiait is used a third time at 2:28) children. Instead the writer uses "little children" paidia in the repeating structure.
TheSince the writer has usedrecognizes two different wordsgroups of "little children", teknia and paidia and so has identified four, the overall passage recognizes five groups being written toaddressed. The first is little children teknia (2:1) which is repeated at 2:12 and 2:28. The second (not repeated) is brethren (2:127). Then he writes to fathers, young men, and to a different type of childrenchild, paidia (2:13).
After the repetition of little children (teknia) in verse 12, a new sequence begins:are used to form the structure.
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 (paidia),
Because you have known the Father. (2:13)
ThisThe repeating sequence is repeatedactually begins at verse 13:
First sequence:
I have writtenwrite to you, fathersfathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have writtenwrite to you, young menyoung men,
Because you are strong, andhave overcome the word of God abides inwicked one.
I write to you, little children (paidia),
AndBecause you have overcomeknown the wicked oneFather. (2:1413)
Second sequence:
Little childrenI 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. (paidia2:14) ...Little children (paidia), it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (2:18-19)
Recipient: Verse:
Children (teknia) 2:1, 2:12, and 2:1228
Fathers 2:13 and 2:14
Young men 2:13 and 2:14
Children (paidia) 2:13 and 2:18
Recipient: Reason for Writing:
Children (teknia): 1) (2:1) that they might not sin;sin
2) (2:12) their sins are forgiven;forgiven
3) (2:28) not ashamed at His coming
Fathers: 1) (2:13) they have known Him who is from the beginning;beginning
2) (2:14) they have known Him who is from the beginning;beginning
Young men: 1) (2:13) they have overcome the wicked one;one
2) (2:14) they are strong,
(2:14) the word of God abides in them,
(2:14) they have overcome the wicked one;one
Children (paidia): 1) (2:13) they have known the Father;Father
2) (2:18) they know it is the last hour and know the antichrist
3) (2:20) they know all things
The tekniateknia receive a repeatedthree-fold message on sin; fathers are identical;sin. Fathers receive a message repeated verbatim; both young men haveare told you overcome the wicked one and the second have strength and the Word of God abiding in them; the paidiapaidia know The Father, and they know it is the last hour, and, since the antichrist is identified, they know that too; in fact,too because they know all things (v20).
TheAs was common for this period a main point ofwas placed in the chapter is that somemiddle of the communitypassage: some left comes a v19. What had been a single group has becomeis now divided. Before making that point, the writer first points out thatOne purpose of the grouprepeating structure is to show those who remain they had always been dividedmade up of different groups. There wereIn fact, and still aresince the passage closes as it begins, tekniaby addressing the teknia children, fathers, young menthe same groups still remain. The church was not and is not homogeneous. The false disciples left, yet people of different ages and paidia childrendifferent stages of true discipleship remain.
The writer has used the natural family to demonstrate thatshowing the community has always been made up of different parts, and to make two points before presenting their central argument:
- Those that remainremaining have gained knowledge, in particular, they know the truth: "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." (2:20-21)
The writer has useduse of the natural family ties the structure to connect their message with the Gospel: 2
Those who remained withstood the attack (from within); by doing so they became stronger, have the Word of God abiding in them, withstood the evil one, and know all things. In essence, they are true disciples (John 8:32) because they are paidiapaidia children.
Finally, who are the tekniateknia children?
The chapter ends as it begins, with ana message to the tekniateknia children. As with the other messages, it is thefocuses on basic or elementary precepts of the Christian faith. Therefore, this group is made up of either new or immature believers (who were still strong enough not to leave), or they are people who have not yet committed to believe (and so need the basics of the Gospel repeated).
Traditionally John's letter was taken to be written in Ephesus and would circulate to the other churches in Asia (similar to the letters to the churches in Revelation). So while division took place in one city, other cities may not yet have been affected. The false teachers may have been circulating among all locations but the division has affected one. Therefore the writer's message also addresses the situation where division has not reached the point of actual break-up, or the situation where the break-up has started but there are some "undecided" over whether to stay.
1. All Scripture from the New King James Version.
2. John's Gospel uses *teknia* once (13:33) and *paidia* once (21:5). The use of the two terms in the letter follows the pattern of the "growth" of the disciples from the Last Supper to breakfast by the sea of Tiberas. After washing their feet they are *teknia* who will seek Jesus but cannot go where He goes; after the resurrection, they are *paidia* going into the world.
