1 John 2 · Verse 14

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2:14, King James Version

1 John 2:14 in other translations

BSBI have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
WEBI have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
ASVI have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.
YLTI did write to you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning; I did write to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God in you doth remain, and ye have overcome the evil.
DARBYI have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
BBEI have sent a letter to you, fathers, because you have knowledge of him who was from the first. I have sent a letter to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God is in you, and because you have overcome the Evil One.
WebsterI have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

What does 1 John 2:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 John 2:13-14

13-14. All three classes are first addressed in the present. "I write"; then in the past (aorist) tense, "I wrote" (not "I have written"; moreover, in the oldest manuscripts and versions, in the end of 1Jo 2:13, it is past, "I wrote," not as English Version, "I write"). Two classes, "fathers" and "young men," are addressed with the same words each time (except that the address to the young men has an addition…

Read the full comment on 1 John 2:13-14 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because, etc. The reason assigned here for writing to fathers is the same which is given in the previous verse. It would seem that, in respect to them, the apostle regarded this as a sufficient reason for writing to them, and only meant to enforce it by repeating it. The fact that they had through many years been acquainted with the doctrines and duties of the true religion, seemed to him a sufficient reason for writing to them, and for exhorting them to a steadfast adherence to those principles and duties.

I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, etc. The two additional circumstances which he here mentions as reasons for writing to young men are, that they are strong, and that the word of God abides in them. The first of these reasons is, that they were strong; that is, that they were qualified for active and useful service in the cause of the Redeemer. Children were yet too young and feeble to appeal to them by this motive, and the powers of the aged were exhausted; but those who were in the rigour of life might be called upon for active service in the cause of the Lord Jesus. The same appeal may be made now to the same class; and the fact that they are thus vigorous is a proper ground of exhortation, for the church needs their active services, and they are bound to devote their powers to the cause of truth. The other additional ground of appeal is, that the word of God abode in them; that is, that those of this class to whom he wrote had showed, perhaps in time of temptation, that they adhered firmly to the principles of religion. They had not flinched from an open defence of the truths of religion when assailed; they had not been seduced by the plausible arts of the advocates of error, but they had had strength to overcome the wicked one. The reason here for appealing to this class is, that in fact they had showed that they could be relied on, and it was proper to depend on them to advocate the great principles of Christianity.

(c) "strong" Eph 6:10 (d) "abideth" Jn 15:7 (e) "overcome" Rev 2:7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 The word of God abideth in you - Ye have not only thoroughly known and digested the Divine doctrine, but your hearts are moulded into it; ye know it to be the truth of God from the power and happiness with which it inspires you, and from the constant abiding testimony of the Spirit of that truth which lives and witnesses wherever that truth lives and predominates.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 2:12-14

As Christians have their peculiar states, so they have peculiar duties; but there are precepts and obedience common to all, particularly mutual love, and contempt of the world. The youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest standing in Christ's school need further advice and instruction. Even fathers must be written unto, and preached…

Read the full comment on 1 John 2:12-14 →

1 John 2:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἔγραψαegrapsa[14] I have writtenG1125
ὑμῖν,huminto you,G4771
πατέρες,pateresfathers,G3962
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἐγνώκατεegnōkateyou have knownG1097
τὸνtonHim who [is]G3588
ἀπ᾽ap᾽fromG575
ἀρχῆς.archēs[the] beginning.G746
ἔγραψαegrapsaI have writtenG1125
ὑμῖν,huminto you,G4771
νεανίσκοι,neaniskoiyoung men,G3495
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἰσχυροίischuroistrongG2478
ἐστεesteyou areG1510
καὶkaiandG2532
ὁhotheG3588
λόγοςlogoswordG3056
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
ἐνeninG1722
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
μένειmeneiabidesG3306
καὶkaiandG2532
νενικήκατεnenikēkateyou have overcomeG3528
τὸνtontheG3588
πονηρόν.¶ponēronevil [one].G4190

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 John 2:14

  • Psalms 119:11

    Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

  • 1 John 2:13

    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.

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  • John 15:7

    If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

  • Ephesians 6:10

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • John 8:31

    Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

  • John 5:38

    And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  • 2 John 1:2

    For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

  • 3 John 1:3

    For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

  • Hebrews 8:10

    For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

  • Colossians 1:11

    Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
fathers.
13
because ye are.
Eph 6:10; Php 4:13; Col 1:11; 2Ti 2:1
the word.
Ps 119:11; Joh 5:38; 8:31; 15:7; Col 3:16; Heb 8:10; 2Jo 1:2; 3Jo 1:3
ye have overcome.
Re 2:7-3:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 John 2:13

    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.

  • 1 John 2:14

    I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Read all of 1 John 2

1 John 2:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Os he escrito á vosotros, padres, porque habéis conocido al que es desde el principio. Os he escrito á vosotros, mancebos, porque sois fuertes, y la palabra de Dios mora en vosotros, y habéis vencido al maligno.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je vous ai écrit, pères, parce que vous connaissez celui qui est dès le commencement. Je vous ai écrit, jeunes gens, parce que vous êtes forts, et que la parole de Dieu demeure en vous, et que vous avez vaincu le méchant.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich habe euch, Väter, geschrieben, weil ihr den erkannt habt, der von Anfang ist. Ich habe euch, Jünglinge, geschrieben, weil ihr stark seid und das Wort Gottes in euch bleibt und ihr den Bösen überwunden habt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Scribo vobis, infantes, quoniam cognovistis patrem. Scribo vobis juvenes, quoniam fortes estis, et verbum Dei manet in vobis, et vicistis malignum.