I 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.
Parallel translations
- WEB I 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.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known 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 wicked one.
- NASB I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been 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.
- NLT I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John repeats his affirmations: believers know Christ, are strong in God's word, and have overcome the evil one. Strength comes from God's word abiding in us.
Overview
This second round of address reinforces the first. He highlights that young men are strong because the word of God abides in them, the source of their victory over the devil. Spiritual strength is tied to Scripture dwelling within. The repetition deepens the readers' assurance of their standing in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 119:11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
- 1 Jn 2:13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- John 15:7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Eph 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- John 8:31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
- John 5:38nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.
- Rev 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
- 3 Jn 1:3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- Heb 8:10For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
- 2 Jn 1:2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
- Col 1:11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- 2 Tim 2:1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- Rev 2:3Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
- 1 Jn 1:10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Jesus is the Word of life made manifest, the propitiation for our sins, the Son in whom is eternal life — 'that you may know that you have eternal life.'
How 1 John 2:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.