The Three Stages of a Man’s Maturity| Musings of an Old Man # 4

Sages, Babes and Braves Navigating the Battle

I am never sure what to make of this passage in John’s first epistle, where he addresses the believers as little children, young men, and fathers. Is he describing physical age, or spiritual age, or even maturity? And what is he trying to help them do? I tried a rhyme in the subtitle that I think captures some of the tension the passage creates: Sages, Babes and Braves Navigating the Battle.

Let me take a small aside. I think my writing about passages in Scripture is sometimes more observational than interpretive. What I mean is that I like to point out the essential things we must see to understand. But I like to allow the reader to come to their own conclusions while I share a few of my own. I confess that to you because sometimes I am unsure of all the ramifications of the passage, and I don’t want to come across as having all the answers. I think that leaves room for a writer/reader “dialogue,” rather than you evaluating my “insights.” Back to the article.

It seems he is giving them vision for what is most necessary in their stage of development. We know the apostles use the analogy of spiritual growth, connected to the needs of the baby Christian, the growing Christian, and the mature believer. In Hebrews, the writer says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Let’s look at our passage today that I think is a nod to a man’s spiritual maturity.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been 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. 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 abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14)

Little Children

To the children, he says that they should be reminded of the facts that 1) their sins have been forgiven and 2) they know the Father personally. This sense of identification with the One who loves them and what He did for them is foundational in the young believer’s life. This need for belonging is key to the maturing follower of God. Sin doesn’t go away easily, so the reminder that the Father has made a way for them to be in the family of God through the forgiveness of their sins, through Christ’s work on the cross, is critical. Some of the earliest verses we encourage young converts to memorize relate to these two ideas (having confidence that we know God and how to be forgiven in our struggle with sin). Here is a list from the Navigators verse pack entitled Beginning with Christ (NavPress).

Assurance of salvation (1 Jn 5:11-12).
Assurance of answered prayer (John 16:24).
Assurance of victory (1 Co 10:13).
Assurance of forgiveness (1 Jn 1:9)
Assurance of guidance (Prov 3:5-6).

Fathers

The order here interests me. He goes from children to fathers. It seems more logical to sequence the young men here next as a natural build-up to the fathers. Put a note in the chat if you know what is significant about the order. Not sure on this one.

But the fact that He gives two almost-identical exhortations to the fathers is worth noting. He says I am writing to you because you know Him who has been from the beginning, and I have written to you because you know Him who has been from the beginning.

Note the tense of the verbs – I am writing, and I have written.

Evidently, this is not the first time he has addressed this with them. Fathers are supposed to know Him who has existed from the beginning.

It’s also notable that John doesn’t identify who the fathers should know. It just says HIM. Father? Son? Holy Spirit? Maybe it doesn’t matter because all have existed from the beginning. But in the first chapter, he describes the fellowship enjoyed by John with the Godhead (especially Father and Son)

what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1John 1:3)

So maybe the knowing is of the Father and the Son and even the Holy Spirit (though the HS is not mentioned, which is interesting).

My takeaway, though, is that of all the things that John could direct the sages towards, he chose knowledge of God. Not a simple knowledge like the children, but a mature knowledge of God reflective of time spent experiencing Him. But it is notable that at the beginning of the spiritual journey and at the end, knowing God is paramount. The same Greek word describes the children’s knowledge and the fathers’.

Logos Bible Software describes it this way

The passage uses the same verb form (ἐγνώκατε) for both groups (children and fathers), but the objects of knowledge differ significantly, revealing distinct spiritual maturity levels rather than identical knowledge.

The children know the Father, while the fathers know Him who has been from the beginning — a reference to Christ in his eternal nature. This distinction matters profoundly. The children possess foundational knowledge of God’s character and fatherly relationship, which is essential and salvific. The fathers, however, have progressed to comprehending Christ’s pre-incarnate existence and his role in creation—a deeper theological understanding that emerges only through extended spiritual maturity and reflection on apostolic teaching.

The passage’s parallel structure creates an intentional contrast. Both groups have genuine knowledge (ginōskō in the perfect tense), but their knowledge operates at different depths. A child’s recognition of God as Father represents the beginning of Christian experience—the assurance of forgiveness and belonging. A father’s grasp of Christ’s eternal nature represents the culmination of years spent meditating on who Jesus truly is, moving beyond initial conversion to profound theological comprehension.

This is the idea that John mentions in his gospel: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3). Life eternal is about knowing both the Father and the Son, and it begins when we believe and lasts for eternity.

Young Men

And finally, the young men. This group is definitely carrying the load for the spiritual battle, as is appropriate. Old men lead the troops. Young men form the battle lines in war. They are younger, stronger, and capable of taking us to victory.

The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, and the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience]. (Prov 20:29- Amplified Bible)

Listen to how they are described

They are strong
They have overcome the evil one (this is repeated)
The Word of God abides in them

I think Ephesians 6 is a good description of what the ministry of the young men looks like. It describes the reality of spiritual warfare, the need to be brave and strong, the essential tools (armor) needed to battle, and the role the Word of God plays in overcoming the evil one.

On a side note: the young men need to remember that the fathers were once young men and have scars from the battle to share with them. The old man you see, who is battling a different kind of battle as he ages, was once a strong warrior wielding the word of God like a sword. They are still battling the enemy, but it might look different than the battle you are facing. But they have already done what you are doing now. Here is Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul was probably in prison and in his sixties when he wrote this. And even though he is an older warrior, I love that he is still in the battle. After he instructs them to be strong, put on the armor of God, and stand firm, he asks them to pray for him so that he can battle too.

Young men, study the armor; it will show you where you are vulnerable and what weapons God has given you for the battle.

Takeaway

Even though the list of maturity is out of sequence, I think we can assume each stage still includes the qualities of the previous one. Meaning young men need to remember the days of their spiritual childhood when they were simply dealing with sin and hanging out with the Father. Older men need to enjoy the early days and their battle days of being strong in spirit, keep battling the evil one, and abide in God’s word.

I guess this muse is about remembering where I have been and where I am going as an old man. And embracing the stage I am in spiritually while continuing to apply the lessons learned.

Where are you in your journey, and what do you need to develop or remember?

Prayers of the Stages

Children’s Prayer- Lord, thank you for your forgiveness and your presence in my life. I know I will continue to mature, but let me be a kid for a little while longer.

Young Man’s Prayer- Lord, the battle surges around me, and sometimes I wonder if I am up for the task. I feel the gravity of the situation, but with your presence and your armor, I will battle like my forefathers before me. Help me to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Father’s Prayer– Lord, I know you, and you are from the beginning of time, the Alpha and the Omega, and have walked with me since my youth, and I trust you to continue to help me to be strong and overcome the evil one in his wily desire to take me and those I love out of the race. Forgive me for my sins, and though they are many, you are faithful to forgive. May I continue to abide in your Word.

Amen and Amen and Amen.