“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.”
— WEB
Cited in 4 topics on this site.
Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.
“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.”
— WEB
“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.”
— KJV
“I 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.”
— ASV
young men . . . strong--made so out of natural weakness, hence enabled to overcome "the strong man armed" through Him that is "stronger." Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. This term "overcome" is peculiarly John's, adopted from his loved Lord. It occurs sixteen times in the Apocalypse, six times in the First Epistle, only thrice in the rest of the New Testament. In order to overcome the world on the ground, and in the strength, of the blood of the Saviour, we must be willing, like Christ, to part with whatever of the world belongs to us: whence immediately after "ye have overcome the wicked one (the prince of the world)," it is added, "Love not the world, neither the things . . . in the world." and, &c.--the secret of the young men's strength: the Gospel word, clothed with living power by the Spirit who abideth permanently in them; this is "the sword of the Spirit" wielded in prayerful waiting on God. Contrast the mere physical strength of young men, Isa 40:30-31. Oral teaching prepared these youths for the profitable use of the word when written. "Antichrist cannot endanger you (Jo1 2:18), nor Satan tear from you the word of God." the wicked one--who, as "prince of this world," enthrals "the world" (Jo1 2:15-17; Jo1 5:19, Greek, "the wicked one"), especially the young. Christ came to destroy this "prince of the world.
— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)
Newsletter
A short reflection, a single passage, three articles to read. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.