Passage
26 These things I have written to you all concerning those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 Now as for you, the anointing which you all received from Him abides in you all, thus you have no need for anyone to teach you; Rather, as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, yes just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of John’s first general Epistle. Now remember, in the previous section of his Epistle, John set out to expose the spiritual heart and dark agenda that define/direct the false teachers who have been troubling His flock. John says that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ (eternal God in the flesh and the single source of salvation for man) is being directed by the same darkness/agenda that defines the Antichrist.
Now last week, John opened the current section of His epistle by showing believers how they are to respond to the world’s false teachers and their teachings. John says that the first thing that we are to do is to abide in or remain faithful to God’s Word In our text this morning John turns to explain why we are to respond to the world’s false teachings by holding fast to the Gospel. Listen.
Verse 26
Notice at once John begins verse 26 by drawing our attention back to something he has just recently told us. John says, “These things I have written to you all. What things? Where is John directing our attention? The good news is that we do not have to guess. Instead, John tells us point blank. Notice then John says that the specific things he has in mind here is the passage that he just wrote us about those who are trying to lead us astray FN#1. In other words, John draws our attention back to his discussion in 2:15-25 concerning the spiritual heart/allegiance of the false teachers. Not only that, notice to whom John says he has written these things. John says I have written these things to you all (plural). In other words, the discussion about false teachers and our needed response to them is not instruction intended just for the leaders of the church or those who are super spiritual. Instead, the danger presented by the world’s false teachings is something that threatens us all. In turn, abiding in the Gospel in the face of the world’s falsehood is the responsibility of every single believer (know and follow, base living/hope). Simply put, verse 26 reminds me that abiding in and holding fast to the Gospel is every believer’s first response to the troubles and hostilities of the world around us (it is the first thing we all are to do).
Next, notice the purpose of verse 26: John draws our attention back to the discussion about the false teachers because he wants that conversation at the forefront of our minds. Why? John intends to set believers in sharp contrast to those false teachers. In other words, for the second time in this section, John turns our focus from the false teachers to the believer and the believer’s response to those teachers.
Verse 27
Notice at once, verse 27 confirms our reading thus far: John says, “as for you”. In other words, immediately after drawing our attention back to the discussion about the false teachers, John turns the focus to the believer (to his readers both then and now). Importance: if verse 24-25 told us how we are to respond to the world’s false teachings, then verse 27 provides the reason for our response. That is, verse 27 tells us why we are to hold fast to the Gospel and not be taken in by the world’s religious speculations. Notice then John says “as for you (in stark contrast to the false teachers) the anointing that you all received from Him abides in you”. Importance: remember, John has already introduced this notion of “anointing” back in 2:20. Simply put, in verse 20 we learned that this anointing is the Holy Spirit who Christ pours out on His people FN#2. Notice then, in our passage this morning John tells us that we have received this anointing from Him (Jesus). In other words, in verse 27 “anointing” is synonymous with “the Holy Spirit” (it refers directly to the third person of the Trinity). However, the question remains why does John describe the Spirit as an anointing? Remember, throughout Scripture the act of anointing is directly associated with and later fulfilled by the work of the Holy Spirit. In turn, anointing certifies that a person is set apart as God’s possession and for God’s purpose. However, at the forefront of John’s reason is the official nature of this anointing. In other words, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not some subjective feeling or private assurance. Instead, it officially/publically marks the recipient with God’s approval. Notice then the point: in the face of the false teacher’s claims, John reminds believers that we have God’s official declaration of acceptance.
Next, notice who receives this anointing: John says it is an anointing that we all have received. In other words, the anointing that verse 27 describes is not an extra measure of grace, some elite spiritual gift, or an additional infusion of the Holy Spirit enjoyed by only a select special few. Instead, it is something that God provides each and every believer without exception.
Next, notice the nature of this anointing: John says it abides in you. Importance: notice the Gospel in the verb tense: the verb “abide” is a Stative Present. As such, it points to an ongoing and continuous state of affairs. In other words, the Spirit’s presence in us is not a fluctuating or uncertain blessing. That is, the Spirit’s presence is not something that comes or goes or that God ever revokes/withdraws. Instead, the Spirit’s presence is based on God’s unwavering commitment to us and the all sufficient nature of our salvation in Christ. As such, the Spirit’s presence and favor remain with the believer in a constant, unending, and irrevocable manner FN#3. Notice then the picture of every single believer that verse 27 provides is one of a direct, intimate, and secure relationship with God.
Finally, remember the purpose of this anointing: Scripture teaches us that Christ has poured out His Holy Spirit to seal believers, officially marking them as God’s own possession; likewise, the Spirit indwells believers, insuring them of God’s ongoing presence and favor; the Spirit also renews believers, applying to them the grace, healing, and new life of salvation; and finally, the Spirit guides believers, leading them in God’s ways; Notice then the stark contrast that the Holy Spirit’s anointing establishes between the believer and the false teachers: thus while the false teachers claim to be guides to God, God Himself dwells in and with the believer. In turn, while the false teachers claim to have the true path to spiritual enlightenment, the Spirit Himself leads God’s people according to God’s Word. Simply put, the false teachers offer a speculative path by which man might in the end reach God. In contrast, the believer already has God and is directed to God by God.
Bottom line: notice the point: the first reason that John tells us that we are to hold fast to the Gospel is because of who we are and what we have as God’s children. Thus while the false teachers of the world claim to have the path to true spiritual enlightenment; the believer has the Holy Spirit. That is, God Himself abides in him and it is God who leads him to God. Simply put, the false teachers of the world have nothing to offer believers that God Himself has not already provided in full.
Footnotes
1] Note the Greek word here πλανάω can mean to deceive or to lead astray. Lead astray is broader than deceive (which is more cognitive in its focus). As such, “lead astray” encompasses both the deception of the false teachers’ teachings as well as the enticement of their false living (worldliness). In turn this attempt to lead astray is answered by Johns command to remain/abide. The larger scope of “lead astray” also allows the two-fold nature of abide to come forward. Thus we are to remain/abide in both the teaching of the Gospel as well as in the practice/living of the Gospel. As such, I have translated πλανάω as “lead astray”
2]Here is a reminder of what we covered in verse 20
1 John 2:20 Indeed you all have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all this. Notice who does the anointing: however, first notice who is not doing the anointing: the one who anoints us is not the Holy Spirit. Instead, throughout John’s writings “Holy One” always refers to Christ. (c.f. Jn 6:69; Rev 3:7). Thus, Christ is the one who anoints His people while the Holy Spirit is the anointing that Christ provides. Think about it. This is exactly what the whole of Scripture teaches: Scripture promises that Christ will pour out the Holy Spirit whom His Father gives on His people (Jn 15:26-27). Not only that, throughout Scripture, the Greek term (χρῖσμα) that John uses here for anointing is directly associated with the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament LXX the word occurs some 7 times (6 time in Exodus). It refers to the anointing oil that enabled the priests to minister as priests to God. Thus, anointing carries with it the notion of a divine appointment/assignment that has been set apart and empowered by God’s Spirit.
Exodus 40:15 and you shall anoint them even as you have anointed their father, so that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing shall qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.” As such, from Old Testament times, anointing and the Holy Spirit’s work have been directly associated. 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners in the New Testament, the idea of anointing is carried forward and fulfilled/clarified by the work of the Holy Spirit, who seals, directs, and empowers God’s people. Acts 10:38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
Bottom line: for John, Christ anoints and the Holy Spirit is the anointing He gives to all believers, thus sealing them as God’s people and equipping their walk and witness.
3] Notice the priority of grace behind this notion of “abiding”: whenever abiding is concerned God’s grace always goes first. Thus, even when the believer is called to abide in God or to let the Gospel abide in their heart (as in verse 24), it is not to earn God’s grace. Instead, abiding it is how we respond to the grace that God has already given. Notice then, by its very nature, abiding/remaining presupposes an already existing condition from which we are not to depart. Thus, for the believer abiding means that we are to live consistently with the Gospel and that we are to avoid any uncritical and eclectic embrace of the world’s beliefs/practices. Abiding then is how we respond to God’s grace. It is not how we obtain God’s grace.