| Geneva Study Bible {i} I write unto you, {9} little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his {k} name's sake. (i) Therefore I write to you, because you are of their number whom God has reconciled to himself. (9) He returns again from the sanctification to remission of sins, because that free reconciliation in Christ is the ground of our salvation upon which afterwards sanctification must be built as upon a foundation. (k) For his own sake: in that he names Christ he eliminates all others, whether they are in heaven or on earth. People's New Testament 2:12 I write unto you, little children. John calls all the saints little children. Then he divides them into three classes, fathers, young men, and little children (1Jo 2:13), but the Greek word paidion, rendered little children in 1Jo 2:13, is a different one from 1Jo 2:1,12, teknion. Wesley's Notes 2:12 I have written to you, beloved children - Thus St. John bespeaks all to whom he writes. But from the thirteenth to 1John 2:13 - 27 the twentyseventh verse , he divides them particularly into fathers, young men, and little children. Because your sins are forgiven you - As if he had said, This is the sum of what I have now written. He then proceeds to other things, which are built upon this foundation. Scofield Reference Notes Margin sins Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 12. little children-Greek, "little sons," or "dear sons and daughters"; not the same Greek as in 1Jo 2:13, "little children," "infants" (in age and standing). He calls ALL to whom he writes, "little sons" (1Jo 2:1, Greek; 1Jo 2:28; 3:18; 4:4; 5:21); but only in 1Jo 2:13, 18 he uses the term "little children," or "infants." Our Lord, whose Spirit John so deeply drank into, used to His disciples (Joh 13:33) the term "little sons," or dear sons and daughters; but in Joh 21:5, "little children." It is an undesigned coincidence with the Epistle here, that in John's Gospel somewhat similarly the classification, "lambs, sheep, sheep," occurs. are forgiven-"have been, and are forgiven you": ALL God's sons and daughters alike enjoy this privilege. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:12-14 As Christians have their peculiar states, so they have peculiar duties; but there are precepts and obedience common to all, particularly mutual love, and contempt of the world. The youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest standing in Christ's school need further advice and instruction. Even fathers must be written unto, and preached unto; none are too old to learn. But especially young men in Christ Jesus, though they are arrived at strength of spirit and sound sense, and have successfully resisted first trials and temptations, breaking off bad habits and connexions, and entered in at the strait gate of true conversion. The different descriptions of Christians are again addressed. Children in Christ know that God is their Father; it is wisdom. Those advanced believers, who know Him that was from the beginning, before this world was made, may well be led thereby to give up this world. It will be the glory of young persons to be strong in Christ, and his grace. By the word of God they overcome the wicked one. | 
