1 John 2:12

little children—Greek, "little sons," or "dear sons and daughters"; not the same Greek as in I John 2:13, "little children," "infants" (in age and standing). He calls ALL to whom he writes, "little sons" (I John 2:1, Greek; I John 2:28; I John 3:18; I John 4:4; I John 5:21); but only in I John 2:13, I John 2:18 he uses the term "little children," or "infants." Our Lord, whose Spirit John so deeply drank into, used to His disciples (John 13:33) the term "little sons," or dear sons and daughters; but in John 21:5, "little children." It is an undesigned coincidence with the Epistle here, that in John's Gospel somewhat similarly the classification, "lambs, sheep, sheep," occurs.

are forgiven—"have been, and are forgiven you": ALL God's sons and daughters alike enjoy this privilege.