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.
My little children: In this phrase we see the tender feelings John has for his readers and the relationship he sustains to them as their spiritual parent. Two Greek words are used by John in his epistle, and both are translated "little children," teknia and paidia. The first word is used here and in 2:12, 28; 3:18; 4:4; 5:21. Jesus used it in John 13:33, and Paul used the term in Galatians 4:19. Vine says,