Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 2:12

"I write unto you, [my] little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name`s sake." — 1 John 2:12 (ASV)

“Dear children” (GK 5448) is the author’s favorite term for the congregation of believers as a whole. Under this rubric he offers the most basic and universal words of assurance he can give: “Your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” They have confessed their sins (1:9) and, on account of the name of Jesus (cf. Acts 4:12), or by faith in his name (3:23; 5:13), or by faith in him (5:1, 5)—the meaning is the same—they have received forgiveness through the covenant of his blood (1:7). In this knowledge they may stand firm. Because they are forgiven, they may also have fellowship with God and true knowledge of him (v,13c).