1 John 2:12-14 - Exposition

Before passing on to the second thing which walking in the light excludes, viz. love of the world ( 1 John 2:15-17 ), the apostle twice makes a threefold address, first stating why he writes γράφω , and secondly why he wrote ἔγραψα , to the three classes named. This suggests several questions.

(a) The change is made for emphasis: "I write; I wrote; there is nothing more to be said." But in this case the past tense should come first: "I wrote; I write it again." Moreover, we should expect the perfect rather than the aorist, as in ὁ͂ γέγραφα γέγραφα .

(b) "I write" refers to what follows; "I wrote," to what precedes. And some have even tried to find out the three different portions in each part of the Epistle; e.g., "I write to you, little children" ( 1 John 2:15-17 ); "to you, fathers" ( 1 John 2:18-27 ); "to you, young men" (1Jn 2:28-3:22): "I wrote to you, children" ( 1 John 1:5-7 ); "to you, fathers" (chapter 1:8-2:2); "to you, young men" ( 1 John 2:3-11 ). But this is fanciful and very arbitrary; and in this case also the past tense should come first: "I have written thus far to you; again I proceed to write to you."

(c) "I write" refers to the whole Epistle; "I wrote," to what precedes. This answer has the sanction of the 'Speaker's Commentary;' but it seems to be quite frivolous. What could induce St. John first of all to tell each class that he writes the whole Epistle to them, and then to tell them that he wrote the first part of it to them? There would be little enough sense in first saying that he wrote the beginning to them, and then that he writes the whole to them; but there is no sense in the former statement if it comes after the latter.

(d) "I am writing" is from St. John's point of view, as he pens the growing letter. "I wrote" is from the readers' point of view, as they peruse the completed letter. But what is gained by this change of standpoint? Is it probable that St. John would make three distinct addresses in the position of the writer of the Epistle, and then solemnly repeat them in the position of the recipients of it?

(e) The Epistle is written as a companion to the Gospel: therefore "I write" refers to the Epistle, which he is in the act of composing; "I wrote," to the Gospel, which lies completed before him, and on which the Epistle serves as a commentary. This seems to be the most satisfactory explanation (see on John 1:4 ).

I write this Epistle : ― Reasons for writing it :

1. To all of you. ― You have been forgiven.

2. To the old among you ― You have knowledge of the Word.

3. To the young among you. ― You have conquered the evil one.

I wrote my Gospel : ― Reasons for writing it :

1. To all of you (?). ― You have knowledge of the Father.

2. To the old among you ― You have knowledge of the Word.

3. To the young among you. ― You have strength, have God's revelation in your hearts, and have conquered the evil one.