My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor{Greek Parakleton: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comfortor.} with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
John used the Greek word translated "children" here (teknia) as a family term of endearment. It means "little born ones" (1 John 2:12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21; John 13:33; cf. Galatians 4:19). "My" adds a further note of tenderness. These terms do not require us to conclude that the recipients were necessarily John’s personal converts, but they were very dear to him. Since this letter indicates that they were mature Christians, they may have been the leaders of various house-churches in Asia Minor.