Who were the little children, young men, and fathers in 1J?

[tonychanyt]

1J 2:

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

Little children were the new believers.

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

Fathers were seasoned believers.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

Young men were growing strong spiritually.

I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

'Children' was John's inclusive term for all believers. John himself was an elder of the Johannine community.

14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

John used the terms 'little children', 'young men', and 'fathers' for believers at three stages of spiritual development: new believers, growing believers, and mature believers.