1 John 2:12
The James Method Verse Mapping
Blessings to you as you celebrate Good Friday! Normally I would try to avoid sending out a post on Good Friday, but this verse was so appropriate for what we are remembering today that I decided to send it out anyway. Let’s celebrate forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ work on the cross.
1 John 2:12 (NIV, 1984 version):
12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
Here’s the concept map I created for this verse:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 2:12. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 2:12 (NIV 1984)
12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
Translations (key differences bolded)
NIV 2011: I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
KJV: I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
NKJV: I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
NLT: I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
ESV: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
NET: I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name.
ASV: I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
NASB20: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name.
NASB95: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: Reminder that God forgives sins
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Children
Greek:
Definition: little child, also a term teachers used to address disciples
Sins
Greek:
Definition: to miss the mark, to wander from God’s law, violation of divine law
Have been forgiven
Greek:
Definition (have been): indicates a past action - it’s already done
Definition (forgiven): to send away, to let go, to give up a thing, abandon
Account/For sake
Greek:
Definition: by reason of, on account of, for this reason
His name
Greek:
Definition: everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by hearing the name (*see additional thoughts at the end of the post)
Cross References
Acts 10:43: All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness through his name.
Ephesians 1:7: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Redemption and forgiveness through his blood.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
God is faithful to forgive sins.
Psalm 25:11: For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
God forgives sins for his name’s sake.
Psalm 106:8: Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
to make his mighty power known.
God saved the Israelites for his name’s sake and to make his power known.
Galatians 3:26: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Sons of God through faith in Christ.
1 John 3:1: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
God loves us and calls us his children.
View of God
God is the one who has the power and the desire to forgive sins. In fact, he has already forgiven sins through Jesus. He doesn’t do this for us—he does it for his own name’s sake. He does it to make his power known and to bring glory to his name.
View of Man/Self
Without God, all I have to show for myself is sin. But if I have faith, if I believe in Jesus, then I receive this miraculous gift of forgiveness. And now I am a child of God.
Reflection and Application
One given fact for all people is that we will and have sinned. The only way we can stand before a holy God is to have our sins covered. Jesus has done this through his death on the cross. Through this act, we have been redeemed. Our sins have been forgiven. How do we receive this forgiveness? Believe in Jesus. If we believe, this causes us to confess our sins, repent and turn from our sin, and follow in obedience to God out of love and thankfulness, not fear.
Prayer
Lord, as I’ve studied the characteristics of God, I’ve been struck by the importance of your name. And we see it again in this verse—sins have been forgiven on account of your name. Some translations say for his name’s sake. God, you have forgiven sin not for my glory but for your glory. Help me to never take that for granted. Help me to share with others that they can be forgiven too.
His name
As I did my initial studies on the characteristics of God, I identified “his name” as one of God’s characteristics. The definition I found in the Blue Letter Bible for the Greek word name confirmed this idea:
The name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, remembering the name, i.e., for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds, etc.
This is why God’s name is so powerful and is a standalone characteristic. God’s name alone has power to bring to mind all the character and acts of God. It has power to cast fear in his enemies and love and devotion in his followers.
Philippians 2:9-11: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.