1 John 2:20-27 - Exposition

Unction.

Connecting link: If it be so that many who were in the Church have become ensnared by antichristian error, and have deserted the faith they once avowed, the question—a very serious one—suggests itself—Is there or is there not any sure preservative against such apostasy in any case? The apostle had already observed, indeed, that there was a reason which would account for some deserting; viz. "they were not of us." Still, another and closer question arises—What is it that makes the difference between being merely in the Church and being also of it? To this 1 John 2:20 and 1 John 2:27 are an answer: "And ye ['ye' emphatic] have an unction," etc., "a chrism," so the word is—an anointing from the Holy One. Hence our topic— Chrism from the Christ the preservative against antichrist.

I. LET US STUDY WHAT THE APOSTLE SAYS RESPECTING THIS UNCTION OR ANOINTING .

1 . Whence? "From the Holy One;" i.e., from the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

2 . What is the anointing? Christ himself, the Anointed of the Father, anoints them with the Holy Ghost. Another symbolic word is used in John 1:33 , "The same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." In John 16:26 the Paraclete is said to be the Holy Ghost. The anointing here referred to is not a merely official privilege, but is an enrichment of believers, as such, with an endowment of the Holy Ghost.

3 . When was it given? "The gift is referred to a definite time ( John 16:27 ): ὁ ἐλάβετε ; and the narrative of the Acts fixes this normally at the imposition of hands which followed on baptism ( Acts 8:14 , etc.). But the context shows that the word χρίσμα is not to he understood of the material signs, but of the corresponding spiritual reality" (Westcott, in loc. ). There is no occasion to think that such a spiritual gift will synchronize in its bestowment with the time of administration of any external ordinance. Indeed, the opposite is indicated in Ephesians 1:13 . It is given after believing. Just as the penitent may receive pardon from Christ, so the believer may receive this unction from him.

4 . Where? "In you" (verse 27). Here the figure fails, and we evidently have a reality far transcending it. An unction to pervade the whole nature of the believer. The Holy Ghost takes up his abode in us. Believers are his temples.

5 . For how long? τὸ χρίσμα … μένει ἐν ὑμῖν . The anointing is a permanent endowment, and not a fitful or uncertain boon. The incoming and indwelling of the Holy Ghost is assured for ever ( John 14:16 ). Some gifts of the Spirit, as e.g. his supernatural charisms, or his bestowments of wisdom upon the natural man, may be lost; but this higher chrism in true believers, never!

6 . What are its effects?

(a) Enlightenment. "Ye all know" (cf. John 16:13 ; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 ). Those filled with the Spirit see the truth as others cannot.

(b) Consequently, they can apply criteria of truth divinely given (verse 27).

(c) They are, in a most important sense, independent of human teaching ( Hebrews 8:11 ). The transition from a traditional faith depending upon what man says, to a living one born of God, is of vital importance (cf. John 4:41 , John 4:42 ).

(a) The lie of antichrist will be perceived in a moment through the supernatural light given from above. The inward guidance of the Holy Ghost enables men to detect false guides.

(b) The quick discernment of error will be the surest safeguard against it. As the anointing abides in believers, the abiding of such believers in Christ naturally follows. καθὼς ἐδίδαχεν ὑμᾶς μένετε ἐν αὐτῷ .

II. HOW FAR DOES THIS UNCTION SERVE AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE ANTICHRISTS OF THIS AND OF EVERY AGE ? The teaching of the apostle, which in our first division we have carefully analyzed and arranged, we must now aim at using for its designed end.

1 . There are now many antichrists. A legion of opposing foes set themselves in array against the Lord and against his gospel. What they are the Christian preacher knows but too well—atheism, agnosticism, deism, pantheism, positivism, etc. Several forms of error range themselves under the one word "anti-supernaturalism." As in apostolic days the great stumbling-block was "the offence of the cross," in our days it largely consists in the insisting on a supernatural revelation.

2 . Argument for argument, it is quite possible, and even easy, adequately to defend the Christian faith. There have never been lacking competent advocates for God's truth, who have met the arguments of the unbeliever with complete and even crushing replies. Never was this more strikingly the case than now. Never were the enemies of the cross more daring in their denials. Never were the defenses of the faith more magnificent than now. So complete, indeed, are they, that if the unbeliever did but see how the case stands, he would know that his was a lost cause. But:

3 . Something more than argument is needed for an effective guard against antichristian error. Three things are necessary.

4 . These conditions it is not in the power of man to ensure. God will give them to every earnest prayerful seeker that he may be guided into all truth. But not the ablest pleader for God can create these conditions of success in any one with whom he pleads.

5 . Only by the anointing of the Holy One can these conditions be bestowed and maintained. But by this anointing, by this rich enduing with the Holy Ghost, will that state of soul be initiated and sustained, to which the truth of God will readily find access, and by which it will be guarded against serious and fatal error, A finely cultivated taste will be a better safeguard against the violation of good taste than any technical rules apart therefrom.

6 . Hence the one point at which we should constantly and prayerfully aim is the sure neutralization of error by the fullness of a Divine enlightenment and power.