I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
Ver. 13. Him that is from the beginning] The Ancient of days. Old men love to speak of ancient things. These are ancient things,1 Chronicles 4:22. You know him with a knowledge of acquaintance; you have had much familiarity and intercourse with him, you are not far from knowing even as also you are known, 1 Corinthians 13:12. To this pitch of perfection all God's people must aspire, as all men do follow after old age.
Because ye have overcome the wicked one] "The glory of young men is their strength,"Proverbs 20:29. The Hebrew word there rendered young men, signifieth choice men, sc. for military employments; neither can they better show their valour than by resisting the devil, that he may flee from them. Weak grace may evidence pardon of sin; but it is strong grace that can overcome the temptations of Satan.
Because ye have known the Father] We say, He is a wise child that knows his father (and the Greeks have a proverb to the same purpose, Hom. Od.); but God hath no child so young that more or less knoweth him not. The bastardly brood of Rome are all for their mother.