He here uses an appellation before \1 John 2:1\ applied to all in common, being put alone; but being now set in contradistinction to others, must be understood to intend a distinct rank of Christians, viz. those more newly entered into the Christian state; and to them he suggests the free remission of their sins for his name's sake, i.e. for his own sake, as the reason why they should, out of ingenuity, and a new, recent sense of God's mercy towards them, comply with his holy pleasure in the following precept. The remission of their sins being a first and most early privilege with them, that commenced from the beginning of their sincere Christianity, and which was sealed to them in their late baptism, it is the more fitly mentioned to this first rank of Christians.
Related Commentaries of 1 John 2:12
1 John 2:12
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.