2:13a

fathers: (Alternative Interpretations) John is addressing a group among his readers who are in some respect older than the others. Note that they are not “fathers” to John himself, since he is a very old man at the time of writing this letter and this group is included in those he called “my children” in 2:1. However there are two interpretations of how those in this group are older than the other Christians:

(1) John probably means those who have been Christians for a longer time.

(2) Some think it means those who are older in age.

2:13b

you know: (Multiple Senses) See the note “to know Him” on 2:3a.

2:13b–c

Him who is from the beginning: (Meaning) This is referring to Jesus Christ, who existed even before the world was created. So it may be necessary to make the name explicit in translation. See also the note on 1:1 “from the beginning.”

2:13d

young men: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two interpretations of this phrase:

(1) It probably means those who have been Christians for a short time.

(2) Some think it means men between 20 and 40 years old.

2:13e

the evil one: (Meaning) This is a common way of referring to Satan in the New Testament. The name “Satan” may need to be made explicit here in order to make it clear that the phrase the evil one does not refer to just any evil person.

2:13f

I have written: (Alternative Interpretations) In 2:13f and 2:14 the Greek has the past tense, literally, “I wrote,” instead of the present tense, “I am writing,” which it has in 2:12a–13e. There are different views as to whether this change of tense indicates a different meaning or not:

(1) It is probably just a matter of style with no difference of meaning. John is continuing to refer to what he is writing in this present letter. (Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, Living Bible)

(2) Some think that the past tense indicates that John is referring only to the first part of this letter or to something else which he had written. (The Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

children: (Alternative Interpretations): See the note on 2:12a.

2:13g

the Father: (Expression) In some languages it may be necessary to say “our^(incl) Father.”

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.