Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 2:27

"And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him." — 1 John 2:27 (ASV)

The author concludes his attack on the false teachers with a warning and a word of encouragement for his followers. He has identified the heretical beliefs of those who have deserted the community of believers (v.22). He has properly labeled his opponents antichrists (v.18) and has described them as “those trying to lead you astray” (cf. 4:6; 2Jn 7). This description is more significant because it reveals the actual intent of those who have deserted the community. Not only have they forsaken the true faith, but they intend to lead many of the faithful astray. Their aim is to assume leadership over the community. They are enemies who are not content to spread new teaching but “invaders” and “deceivers” who seek to win the whole community over to their position.

Against their threat, John once more expresses his supreme confidence in the power of the divine anointing. The Son’s gift of the Spirit, who accompanied the apostolic word “from the beginning,” abides in them (cf. Jn 14:16). If they abide in the teaching and in the anointing, they need neither new teaching nor new teachers. Since they have received their “teaching” from the Son through those who were his witnesses from the beginning and have his “anointing,” they have in fact no need for anyone more to teach them, not even John himself. Does he think of this letter as further “teaching”? Probably not. He is simply reminding them to keep to the teaching they received from the beginning. Any teaching in the church should only be what was received from the beginning (cf. Galatians 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:3–5; Titus 1:9; 2 Peter 3:2).

The last part of v.27 summarizes the threefold reason to trust the anointing already received from Jesus (2:20). (1) His anointing teaches all things necessary for them to know concerning the Word of Life. He does not advance the idea, perhaps favored by some of his opponents, that the Spirit will add new revelation to what has already been given. (2) This anointing is “real, not counterfeit” (cf. Jn 15:26; 16:3)—a reference to the gnosticizing opponents who claim as the source of their teaching a special anointing not commonly received by the company of believers. But the test of the anointing is its fidelity to that which is from the beginning. Since the opponents’ teaching fails precisely at this point, their anointing is exposed as false. (3) The community has in its history experienced the teaching from the anointing—i.e., they have known the confirming work of the Spirit in their lives. The Gospel has taken root in them and has brought forth its fruit (cf. 2:12–14). Therefore, John concludes with his most important word to them: “Remain [abide] in him [Christ].”