That however is not what it is saying that John is only including himself to lighten the blow to unbelievers, as that would be interjecting what is not there in that passage.
1 John chapters 2-4 Apostle John is talking to believers in those passages and is telling us how we know that we are saved and have eternal life abiding in us. For there are many who claim they are believers in Christ and are born again but their actions and speech do not show it, and John says look here is how you will know that you are born again.
In a way you are right that he is speaking to unbelievers as well, but you must also include the deceptive ones in that passage as well who believe they are saved but do not walk accordingly.
This is what John is really clarifying here in this epistle, how to determine the false professing from those who have true profession in the faith in Christ !!!
1 John chapters 2-4 Apostle John is talking to believers in those passages and is telling us how we know that we are saved and have eternal life abiding in us. For there are many who claim they are believers in Christ and are born again but their actions and speech do not show it, and John says look here is how you will know that you are born again.
In a way you are right that he is speaking to unbelievers as well, but you must also include the deceptive ones in that passage as well who believe they are saved but do not walk accordingly.
This is what John is really clarifying here in this epistle, how to determine the false professing from those who have true profession in the faith in Christ !!!