www.soniclight/comNotes on 1 John 2008 Edition by Dr. Thomas L. Constable
p.20
It seems best to conclude that John used these three stages of life to describe qualities typical of each age group that ought to characterize all believers. In other words, all the titles refer to the entire readership from various points of view.
On pp. 21-22
John strengthened the sense of progress in these verses. He used present
tense verbs in the first set of sentences (vv. 12-13b) that emphasize
ongoing action. Then he used aorist tense verbs in the second set (vv. 13c-
14) that point to the end product, spiritual maturity.
In this section John was not saying that his readers were all immature or all mature. He
was acknowledging their spiritual development to encourage them to press on to know
the Lord better and to pursue more intimate fellowship with Him.
