1 John 2:12

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

BSB

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.

KJV

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

ASV

I write unto you, [my] little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

BBE

I am writing to you, my children, because you have forgiveness of sins through his name.

Original Greek

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Γράφω Graphō I am writing G1125 ὑμῖν humin to you G4771 τεκνία teknia little children G5040 ὅτι hoti because G3754 ἀφέωνται apheōntai have been forgiven G863 ὑμῖν humin your G4771 αἱ hai (the) G3588 ἁμαρτίαι hamartiai sins G266 διὰ dia for the sake of G1223 τὸ to the G3588 ὄνομα onoma name G3686 αὐτοῦ autou of Him G846

The early church

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you through His name." Therefore, "little children," because in forgiveness of sins ye have your birth. But through whose name are sins forgiven? Through Augustin's? No, therefore neither through the name of Donatus. Be it thy concern to see who is Augustin, or who Donatus: no, not through the name of Paul, not through the name of Peter. For to them that divided unto themselves the Church, and out of unity essayed to make parties, the mother charity in the apostle travailing in birth with her little ones, exposeth her own bowels, with words doth as it were rend her breasts, bewaileth her children whom she seeth borne out dead, recalleth unto the one Name them that would needs make them many names, repelleth them from the love of her that Christ may be loved, and saith, "Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" What saith he? "I would not that ye be mine, that so ye may be with me: be ye with me; all we are His who died for us, who was crucified for us": whence here also it is said, "Your sins are forgiven you through His name," not through the name of any man.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Homilies on 1 John

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 John 2 →

Cross-references

21

Topics

Jesus, The ChristSinRighteousChildrenWord Of God

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.