1 John 2:1

“My little children, &c.] The apostle may address the saints under this character, on account of their regeneration by the Spirit and grace of God, in which they were as newborn babes; and on account of his being the instrument of their conversion, and so was their spiritual father, and therefore calls them his own children; and he might the rather use such a way of speaking, because of his advanced age, being now in his old age, and John the elder in age as well as in office; as well as to show his paternal affection for them, and care of them, and that what he had wrote, or should write, was not from any disrespect, but from pure love to them; and it might serve to put them in mind of their…”

“THE ADVOCACY OF CHRIST IS OUR ANTIDOTE TO SIN WHILE WALKING IN THE LIGHT; FOR TO KNOW GOD, WE MUST KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND LOVE THE BRETHREN, AND NOT LOVE THE WORLD, NOR GIVE HEED TO ANTICHRISTS, AGAINST WHOM OUR SAFETY IS THROUGH THE INWARD ANOINTING OF GOD TO ABIDE IN GOD: SO AT CHRIST'S COMING WE SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. (1Jo. 2:1-29) (Jo1 5:18.) My little children--The diminutive expresses the tender affection of an aged pastor and spiritual father. My own dear children, that is, sons and daughters (see on Jo1 2:12). these things-- (Jo1 1:6-10). My purpose in writing what I have just written is not that you should abuse them as giving a license to sin but, on the contrary, "in order that…”

“My little children - Τεκνια μοῦ Teknia mou. This is such language as an aged apostle would be likely to use when addressing a church, and its use in this Epistle may be regarded as one evidence that John had reached an advanced period of life when he wrote the Epistle. These things write I unto you - To wit, the things stated in 1 John 1:1. That ye sin not - To keep you from sin, or to induce you to lead a holy life. And if any man sin - As all are liable, with hearts as corrupt as ours, and amidst the temptations of a world like this, to do. This, of course, does not imply that it is proper or right to sin, or that Christians should have no concern about it; but the meaning is, that all…”

“My beloved children - So the apostle frequently addresses the whole body of Christians. It is a term of tenderness and endearment, used by our Lord himself to his disciples, Joh 13:33. And perhaps many to whom St. John now wrote were converted by his ministry. It is a different word from that which is translated "little children," in several parts of the epistle, to distinguish it from which, it is here rendered beloved children. I write these things to you, that ye may not sin - Thus he guards them beforehand against abusing the doctrine of reconciliation. All the words, institutions, and judgments of God are levelled against sin, either that it may not be committed, or that it may be…”

“2:1 In order to live “in the light” (1:5-7), one must confess sin (1:9) and stop sinning. John emphasizes sin in ch 1 in order to make believers despise their sin and avoid it. • if anyone does sin: Believers should repudiate sin, but they should not fear confessing sins to God. • advocate (Greek paraklētos, “one who is called to our side” as comforter or advocate): Christ is our defense attorney, representing us before the Father in heaven (see Rom 8:26-34; cp. John 14:16). • Jesus Christ, the . . . righteous: We, in contrast, are sinful. Because Christ fulfilled the law and paid sin’s penalty for us, he can plead for us on the basis of justice as well as mercy. When God raised Christ from…”

“little: Jo1 2:12, Jo1 2:13, Jo1 3:7, Jo1 3:18, Jo1 4:4, Jo1 5:21; Joh 13:33, Joh 21:5; Co1 4:14, Co1 4:15; Gal 4:19 these: Jo1 1:3, Jo1 1:4; Ti1 3:14 that: Psa 4:4; Eze 3:21; Joh 5:14, Joh 8:11; Rom 6:1, Rom 6:2, Rom 6:15; Co1 15:34; Eph 4:26; Tit 2:11-13; Pe1 1:15-19, Pe1 4:1-3 And if: Jo1 1:8-10 we have: Rom 8:34; Ti1 2:5; Heb 7:24, Heb 7:25, Heb 9:24 Father: Luk 10:22; Joh 5:19-26, Joh 5:36, Joh 6:27, Joh 10:15, Joh 14:6; Eph 2:18; Jam 1:27, Jam 3:9 the righteous: Jo1 2:29, Jo1 3:5; Zac 9:9; Co2 5:21; Heb 7:26; Pe1 2:22, Pe1 3:18 1 John 2:2”