May 29, 2025 - 1 John 2:20 - "Unction From the Holy One"

1 John 2:20

"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things."

Here is a gracious reminder to the redeemed of the LORD that their knowledge of the truth is not the result of natural ability, religious effort, or human decision, but is purely the work of God's sovereign grace in Christ. The "unction"—the anointing—is the Holy Spirit Himself, sovereignly given by Christ, the Holy One, to all whom He has redeemed by His blood. It is NOT a potential blessing offered to all, but a particular gift bestowed on those elected by God the Father in eternity, for whom the LORD Jesus came into the world and laid down His life, and now by the Spirit of God, enabling them to discern the Truth, abide in Christ, and persevere in the Faith. This verse assures them that their standing and understanding in Christ is the result of God's sovereign will, not their will—a comfort and confirmation that salvation is of the LORD from beginning to end.

The term “unction” is translated here as “anointing,” which John uses to remind his readers of the spiritual anointing they have received from the Holy One—Christ. This anointing is not to be sought as a separate experience after conversion, but is already upon them through Christ and His finished work at the cross. Let us explore the nature of this anointing:

Primarily, anointing relates to Christ Himself, whose title Christ means the Anointed One (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 4:27). He was chosen and set apart by God the Father as Prophet, Priest, and King—offices traditionally conferred by anointing in the Old Testament. In Christ, all these roles converge:

He is the Prophet through whom God speaks—“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you” (Acts 3:22),

He is the Priest by Whose sacrifice sinners are justified— “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1),

He is the King to whom all will bow—“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3).

Having an anointing from the Holy One means that believers share in the righteousness of Christ, imputed to them through His sacrificial death: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:9–10).

Christ, the Holy One, is the Foundation of their election, redemption, justification, and sanctification: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through His completed work, believers receive all spiritual blessings: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Believers having this anointing know all things—not in the sense of being without need of instruction, but because the Spirit of God reveals Christ in them, granting understanding of the forgiveness and justification already accomplished at the cross through Him. They are contrasted with those who reject the Truth, following after their desires or false doctrines.

The believer’s anointing is rooted in union with Christ: His death and resurrection are theirs. Through God-given faith, they come to apprehend the blessings of this anointing, which is bestowed by grace. Christ is their complete satisfaction before the Father, leaving His chosen, redeemed children lacking nothing.

The anointing spoken of by John encompasses the believer's union with Christ, their sharing in His imputed righteousness, and the Spirit’s work of revealing Christ’s sufficiency in them for salvation. This passage emphasizes the centrality of Christ in the believer’s experience and the completeness of their satisfaction in Him.