fathers, young men, and children in First John 2:12-14

 ¹² I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. ¹³ I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. ¹⁴ 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. 1 John 2:12-14

The writer gives 3 or 4 physical stages of a man as a kind of representation of their spiritual assets (“little children” translate 2 different Greek words). The way the stages and assets are given suggest that these are not different stages of growth within the readers—some are this, and some are that-- but assets they have in their lives—maybe contrary to the claims of others. All assets describe where they are spiritually and relate to the issues already addressed, though the “young men” related assets deal with their adversaries in what follows in the letter.

There may be some correlation between the physical aspect and its representation and the spiritual asset that is ascribed to it (an asset is a quality that is beneficial). The little children are actually a different Greek word in each use, the second one is of maybe a little older age. The first use of children is about forgiveness of sin, and the second is about knowing the Father. The Father reference is about knowing God--both times. And the young men overcoming Satan, and being strong and the word abiding in them. All these things are things true about them.

He uses three titles to recognize three spiritual assets. These are not three levels of maturity in the assembly, but three assets they possess. Children, fathers, and young men do represent 3 levels of natural maturity or development, and that does correspond to the spiritual asset represented, but all three coincide in the individual. The natural maturity/ development corresponds to each spiritual asset as each has developmental progression to it.

Children and Fathers come before young men because they correspond to what John has already covered.

Children correspond with the forgiveness of sins, in both salvation and fellowship. Fathers correspond with knowing God as to His character and moral will. Young men correspond to that which hasn't been covered yet, but probably recognizes spiritual victory they have had in spiritual conflict, and it is that aspect of their spiritual character that continues to do battle by the word of God and the qualities of being Children and Fathers.

Concerning “knowing God,” I think two aspects are seen here; the one as with children with reference to the remission of sins and the new covenant, and the other as with fathers in coming to Know God in His character and will (getting to know God).

By the spiritual assets, they will overcome their adversaries.