26 - 1Jn 2:20-21
What the apostle now suddenly says of the χρίσμα [“anointing”] of Christians seems to be in no immediate connection with what precedes. For if we should suppose the intention to be that of setting the true nature of Christians in contrast with that of the antichrists, we should expect the conjunction δέ [“but”] instead of καί [“and”]. It is obvious that the thought entering the context with 1Jn 2:20, that the Christian church possesses the χρίσμα [“anointing”] and knows all things, is not a subordinate one, but introduces the whole of the ensuing dissertation. It will therefore be necessary to examine if we can find an element in the following context for which 1Jn 2:20 will be the simple preparation, and which in itself stands in organic connection with the statements made concerning the antichrists. The last idea prominently in our minds was that these antichrists had not remained in the church, but had separated from it. Now, that would obviously suggest the same exhortation or appeal which Christ uttered when, Joh 6:67,[N] many went no longer with Him: μὴκαὶ ὑμεῖς θέλετεὑπάγειν; [“You do not wish to go away also?”],—to wit, that at least the remainder are and will be faithful to the Lord’s fellowship. And this idea of the μένεινἐναὐτῷ [“abide in him”] is palpably the very nerve of the entire remainder of the chapter. In 1Jn 2:24 it comes forward in all its strength and emphasis; in 1Jn 2:27 it is taken up again. The whole section is concerned with exhortation to Christians to keep themselves apart from the world; this is then rendered more specific as a requirement to guard themselves against antichrists, for the sin of Christian men leads immediately not only to the unchristian, but also to the anti-Christian spirit and life. But, as the essence of the spirit of the antichrists is apostasy or infidelity, the negative injunction to be on guard against them slides naturally round into the positive one of maintaining their faithfulness. He, however, who would maintain his fidelity must before all things know what that infidelity is by which faithfulness is wounded. This is the lie; every lie greater or less. Such knowledge the readers have, the apostle tells them in 1Jn 2:20-21, in virtue of the anointing of which they have been made partakers. The last words of 1Jn 2:21, πᾶν ψεῦδος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας [“every lie is not of the truth”], form the pith of the verses before us, 1Jn 2:20-21: for the sake of them these were written, and they themselves, on the other hand, form a point of connection with what ensues. Thus we gain the following train of thought. Ye see the antichrists, whose principle is infidelity, acting out their nature (1Jn 2:18-19). Ye know further (our resolution of the order takes away any temptation to assign to the καί [“and”] of the beginning of 1Jn 2:20 an adversative meaning; it rather introduces an actual and simple progression), in virtue of the anointing which ye have, that πᾶν ψεῦδος [“every lie”]; excludes from the kingdom of God the lie in any and every form, because it (1Jn 2:21) is in the issue always a denial and renunciation of the Son of God. Ye, then, who are by the supposition of your anointing in a satisfactory condition to discern anti-Christian error, will assuredly avoid that error and approve your fidelity. Thus the whole section is lightened up, and vindicates for itself a simple but sure and orderly course of thought. The passage 1Jn 2:20-23 thus primarily indicates that the Christian church is in a position to discern and detect anti-Christian error down to its most subtle ramification. This it is by virtue of the χρῖσμα ἀπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου [“an anointing from the Holy One”].