1 John 2:20 kjv

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

1 John 2:20 nkjv

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

1 John 2:20 niv

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:20 esv

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

1 John 2:20 nlt

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 20 Meaning

1 John 2:20 declares that believers possess a spiritual "anointing" directly from God, referred to as the "Holy One." This anointing provides an innate, spiritual knowledge or discernment concerning the fundamental truths of faith, enabling them to distinguish between truth and falsehood, especially regarding the person of Jesus Christ. It assures believers of their inherent understanding given by God's Spirit, equipping them against deceptive teachings.

1 John 2 20 Context

1 John 2:20 is found within a broader discussion where the apostle John warns believers against "antichrists" (1 John 2:18-19) who had "gone out from us." These were false teachers, likely Gnostics or Docetists, who denied the true humanity and divinity of Christ, refusing to acknowledge Him as the Son sent by the Father. In this context, John provides an assurance and a safeguard for true believers: their "anointing" from "the Holy One." This internal spiritual endowment contrasts with the false teachers' deceptive spirit, granting believers an immediate, intrinsic knowledge of the truth regarding Christ's identity and nature. It implies that true believers do not need to rely on external, fallible human teachers for core truths, as the Spirit within guides them. This discernment empowers them to stand firm against heresy.

1 John 2 20 Word analysis

• But you (Ὑμεῖς δέ, Hymeis de): Emphatic contrast. John distinguishes true believers from the false teachers mentioned in 1 John 2:18-19, highlighting their spiritual privilege.
• have an anointing (χρῖσμα ἔχετε, chrisma exete):
  • Anointing (χρῖσμα, chrisma): This noun signifies an act of anointing, the resulting state of being anointed, or the anointing substance itself. In this biblical context, it metaphorically refers to the Holy Spirit given to believers. It evokes the Old Testament practice of anointing priests, prophets, and kings with oil, signifying their consecration and divine appointment or enablement. Here, it denotes a spiritual endowment and sanctification that empowers believers.
  • This is not a future promise but a present possession for every believer.
• from the Holy One (ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου, apo tou Hagiou):
  • Holy One (τοῦ Ἁγίου, tou Hagiou): This title most likely refers to Jesus Christ. He is frequently identified as "the Holy One of God" (Mk 1:24; Jn 6:69; Acts 3:14; Rev 3:7). Christ, who Himself was anointed by the Spirit (Acts 10:38), now shares that Spirit with His followers. Alternatively, it could refer to God the Father, the ultimate source of all holiness. In either case, the anointing originates from God's holy nature.
• and you know all things (καὶ οἴδατε πάντα, kai oidate panta):
  • Know (οἴδατε, oidate): This verb implies a deep, intuitive, and experiential knowledge, distinct from merely intellectual or acquired information. It signifies a settled, established knowledge.
  • all things (πάντα, panta): This does not imply omniscience or exhaustive knowledge of every detail. Instead, it refers to "all essential things" or "all necessary things" pertaining to their spiritual walk and discerning truth, especially in the context of salvation and the person of Christ, as opposed to the false teachings prevalent at the time. The anointing by the Spirit provides this complete, essential discernment.

1 John 2 20 Bonus section

The concept of "the anointing" (χρῖσμα) in 1 John reflects a New Covenant fulfillment of God's direct Spirit-indwelling promised in the Old Testament, empowering all His people, not just a select few. This stands in contrast to hierarchical structures where truth flows exclusively through designated religious leaders. It suggests a profound democratization of spiritual understanding, where every believer has a direct, internal witness to truth from the Holy Spirit. This anointing provides a stable foundation of knowledge that the world cannot give nor take away, anchoring believers amidst theological storms. It underscores the profound intimacy of the believer's relationship with God, where divine revelation is an internal reality.

1 John 2 20 Commentary

1 John 2:20 serves as a powerful assurance to believers in the face of doctrinal error. It highlights that the presence of the Holy Spirit, termed "the anointing," within each true believer, provides an inherent, divinely granted capacity to understand and discern essential spiritual truths, particularly those concerning Jesus Christ and His nature. This spiritual intuition allows them to identify and reject false teachings. It is not about intellectual prowess, but a spiritual discernment cultivated by the indwelling Spirit. This means believers are not left without guidance; the Spirit illuminates the core doctrines of the faith and protects them from deception regarding Christ's person and work. This internal anointing provides confidence and stability against apostasy, making every believer, in a sense, a "theologian" capable of recognizing divine truth.