Who is John talking to in 1 John 2:1?
In 1 John 2:1, John addresses believers. He calls them 'my little children,' a term he does not use for the unbelieving world. The believing element is being addressed, as he writes so they may not sin. John’s epistle is directed to the believing element, not the unbelieving world.
Les explains that in 1 John 2:1 John is talking to believers, not the unbelieving world. John calls them 'my little children,' a term he does not use for unbelievers. Les stresses that the believing element is being addressed. John writes so they sin not, and Les ties this to grace: we are under grace, not law, but grace is not license. Just because sin is less than God's grace does not give license. John begs the believer not to sin, but if any man sin. Les also notes this intercessory power is different from the Holy Spirit's intercession.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
More Questions
Why did John write 1 John 2:1?
John wrote 1 John 2:1 so that believers would not sin.
Who is 1 John 2:1 written to?
In 1 John 2:1, John is addressing believers, not the unbelieving world, by calling them 'my little children.'
Who is John addressing when he says 'my little children' in 1 John 2:1?
In 1 John 2:1 John is addressing believers when he says 'my little children' — he does not call the unbelieving world his children, but addresses the believing element.