Q: What is
meant by the “anointing”? (1 John 2:20, 27)
The Greek word chrisma is a term originally referring to oil or ointment used for
anointing, and then later for the anointing itself. The corresponding verb form
is chrio, used with reference to
Jesus (Acts 4:27) and his followers (2 Cor. 1:21). The LXX (Greek translation
of the OT) applies this word to priests (Ex. 28:41), kings (1 Sam. 10:1), and
prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16). Jesus is called ho
christos (“the Christ”), literally “the Anointed One.” In the context of 1
John chapter 2, the apostle seems to be making a play on words which is not apparent
in the English translation. Those who are against (anti) the Anointed One (christos)
are antichristoi or “antichrists” (vv.
18-19, 22), whereas the faithful ones to whom John is writing are in essence christoi or “anointed ones” (v. 20). The
anointing is from “the Holy One,” thus all who have it are holy (hagios = sanctified or set apart).
In verse 20 John is either saying “you all
know” (NASB) or “you know all things” (NKJV). Grammatically it could be
translated either way. He may be saying that you know “all things” in the
context of the subject matter under discussion, but more likely he means that you
all know the truth (v. 21). The recipients of John’s epistle did not need to be
taught something new by those trying to deceive them (vv. 26-27), because they
already knew the truth (v. 21). Notice John says that the anointing “abides in
you” and “teaches you” (v. 27). If we allow John to interpret his own words, he
says in this very context that “the word of God abides in you” (v. 14) and “what
you heard from the beginning abides in you” (v. 24). That which they had heard
from the beginning was “the word” (v. 7). The anointing has taught that “you
will abide in him” (v. 27), and we know that we are in him if we keep his word
(v. 5). Observe also John’s emphasis on what is written (vv. 1, 7, 8, 12, 13,
14, 21, 26).
It is interesting to note, contrary to
what many interpreters read into the passage, that “the Holy Spirit” is not
even mentioned in this context, much less a direct operation of the Spirit. But
it is still important to consider this idea. Jesus was anointed “with the Holy
Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38). The apostles and prophets were guided by
the Spirit to record God’s complete revelation (John 16:12-13; Eph. 3:3-5; 2
Tim. 3:16-17). The word of God is now “the sword of the Spirit” which abides in
and teaches those who receive it (Eph. 6:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12). We are
“sanctified” (hagiazô) or “set apart”
or “made holy” by God’s Spirit, yet this is accomplished only by our obedience
to the Spirit’s truth (John 17:17, 19; 2 Thess. 2:13-14). The Spirit and the
word are inseparable. It is highly unlikely that the “anointing” refers to a
direct operation of the Spirit since the Bible makes a distinction between
being anointed and “also” (kai) being
sealed with the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21-22). The “anointing” to which John refers
appears to be a metaphoric reference to the influence of God’s inspired word
which was abiding in and teaching the recipients of John’s letter, in contrast
to the false and deceptive message of the antichristoi.
Q: What did Paul mean when he wrote, “. . .
and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you”
(Philippians 3:15)?
The first consideration is, to whom is
Paul speaking? He is writing in the early 60s to a congregation he was
instrumental in establishing about twelve years earlier, namely “the saints in
Christ Jesus who are in Philippi . . .” (1:1). The next question is, what is he
writing about? In the immediate context, the apostle warns these brethren of
the dangers of Judaizing teachers, and he then encourages them to realize that
past accomplishments do not invalidate the need for future growth. If anyone
among them had different ideas, namely that a state of perfection was already
attained, Paul said that “God will reveal even this to you.” But how? There are
several possibilities: (1) by prophets who conveyed God’s revelations in the
first-century church (cf. Acts 11:27; 13:1); (2) through this inspired letter
which Paul was sending to them (v. 1); (3) by the examples of others (v. 17);
(4) by way of humbling life experiences (v. 8; 2:30); or (5) in the last day
when all will be laid bare (vv. 20-21; cf. 1 Pet. 1:5; Rev. 20:12). Less than forty
years after these words were penned, God’s written revelation was complete
(Rev. 22:18-19).
-- Kevin
L. Moore
Related posts: Questions About the Holy Spirit (Part 1), Holy Spirit Baptism, Questions About Holy Spirit Baptism 1, Questions About Holy Spirit Baptism 2
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