We find three classes of Christians: fathers, young men and babes. John addresses them each twice. That which characterizes fathers in Christ is that they have known Him who is from the beginning, that is, Christ. This is all that he has to say about them. All had resulted in that. He only repeats the same thing again when, changing his farm of expression, he begins anew with these three classes. The fathers have known Christ. They are not occupied with experience-that would be being occupied with self, with one's own heart. All that has passed away and Christ alone remains as our portion, unmingled with aught besides.