1 John 2:13 Commentary

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1 John 2:13

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Having addressed all believers in general, John now addresses those at different stages in the Christian life and assigns specific blessings to each, both male and female. Those who have advanced furthest, the fathers in the faith, have the clearest sense that the one who has been made manifest as the Word of life is from everlasting, and they have fellowship with him who was there before the world began. They contemplate the deep things of the faith. John has written that all should fellowship with him who is from the beginning (1:1-3), but this knowledge is strongest among the mature in the faith.Young men are strong not so much in their bodies or in their legs, for in the kingdom of God physical strength counts for nothing. Rather, they are strong in overcoming the flesh and resisting temptation; they have overcome the wicked one by refusing his suggestions that they conform to this world. Because of this they are ready to serve the Lord and carry out great exploits for him. They have already gained a great victory.Just as God has made little children to be vulnerable and wholly dependent on their parents, so the young believer has a strong awareness of his dependence on his heavenly Father. The Lord richly rewards this trust by leading his children gently on, and assuring them of his loving arms around them.

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No Christian should fail to make progress: children must become young men and young women, and young men and women must become fathers and mothers in the faith, and none of us should stand still. What a father is, a child aspires to be, and the knowledge that is present in a father is also present in rudimentary form in the child.

Fathers in the faith have the benefit of experience and should take correspondingly more responsibility in the house of God. Older believers are supposed to become fathers to the young in the faith, caring and supporting them as they face many of the same trials. Where there is a generation gap in a church, it may be that the fathers are not taking their responsibilities seriously.

Young men and women should have a vigour and strength that enables them to do much for the Lord. They are past the stage where they need special care and nurture, and should be ready to use their God-given spiritual strength to serve God in prayer, good works, and witness to the truth.

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1 John 2:13 Commentary and Bible Study