Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
I’m going on a family vacation. That means the next lesson won’t be until July 30th. Please pray I have an amazing trip and draw closer to God and my family. Thank you.
In Lesson 65, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:27.
Let’s read the verse:
1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you…
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
And as for you (2532. kai) — means so, that, also, or then.
You (4771. su) — means you the reader.
The anointing (3588. ho, hé, to) (5545. chrisma) — refers to a smearing or pouring on of oil, symbolizing a special consecration or empowerment by the Holy Spirit. It implies a divine equipping for spiritual understanding or guidance.
You received from Him (2983. lambanó) (575. apo) (846. autos) — means that you have taken hold of or accepted this anointing from God Himself. It’s a divine gift granted to you, not earned or produced by human means.
Remains in you (3306. menó) (1722. en) (4771. su) — means the anointing remains, dwells, or continues in you. This is a lasting, internal reality for every believer, a continuing presence, not a fleeting or external experience.
And you do not need anyone to teach you. (2532. kai) (2192. echó) (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) (5532. chreia) (5100. tis) (1321. didaskó) (4771. su) — Means, because of the anointing, you are not dependent on human instruction to recognize truth. The Spirit of God within you teaches, affirms, and guides you into all truth.
Here is a paraphrased and expanded version: As for you, the anointing you have received from God dwells in, continues in, and remains within you. This anointing is the Holy Spirit’s sacred empowerment and consecration, given not by human effort but as a gracious gift from God. Because the Spirit dwells in you permanently, you do not need anyone else to teach you the truth. The Spirit Himself teaches you all things and guides you into understanding what is true and right.
1 John 2:27 begins with “As for you,” which shows that John is speaking directly to true believers.
This is in contrast with the false teachers, or "antichrists," described in 1 John 2:18–19. These are the people who left the community because they never truly belonged to it.
“The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you” refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who was given to you at the time you put your faith in Christ.
This anointing is not temporary. It remains in you continually, making a permanent home in your life. The anointing is the work of the Spirit that empowers you and sets you apart.
John is encouraging his readers by reminding them that they don’t need to rely on the false teachers. They already have everything they need because the Spirit of God lives within them.
The anointing reveals spiritual truth to believers, gives discernment to recognize false teaching, strengthens believers to resist deception, and stay faithful to Christ.
Unlike the false and misleading messages all around us, true teaching comes directly from the Holy Spirit.
This does not mean that godly human teachers are unnecessary or unhelpful. After all, John himself is teaching through this letter.
But it does mean that you have direct access to God’s truth through the Holy Spirit, who is the ultimate teacher and protector against false doctrine.
While Christian teachers can help with spiritual growth and maturity, spiritual discernment and the ability to recognize truth ultimately comes from the Spirit’s abiding presence in every believer.
Let’s look at some cross-references for 1 John 2:27 to help you better understand the anointing you have received from God.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises that He will ask the Father to give believers the Spirit of truth, who will be with them forever. This is the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who lives in those who know Christ. This anointing cannot be received by the world, only by those who truly know Him.
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
In Ephesians 1:13, we read that when you heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. This seal is permanent. It means that you belong to God, you are marked by Him, and you are His child.
Ephesians 1:13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…
In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, we learn that God is the one who strengthens and anoints us. He places His seal on us and puts His Spirit in our hearts. When you trust in Christ, God marks you forever with His seal as a pledge or a guarantee of the future blessings to come. This pledge brings us great hope and assurance that our salvation is secure.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
In John 16:13, we learn that the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. This means the Spirit will lead you to understand God’s Word correctly and protect you from the lies of false teachers. Whenever you face false teaching, trust the Spirit to lead you and give you wisdom to discern what is true.
John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
In 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, we learn that the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the gifts and truths God has freely given us. Rather than relying on human wisdom, we are guided by the Spirit, who teaches us to grasp spiritual realities and express them rightly.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
In conclusion, when you put your faith in Christ, you receive a permanent anointing from God. This anointing is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will teach you all things and guide you into all truth. Because of this, you do not need to rely on false teachers or worldly wisdom. The Spirit within you empowers you to understand God’s Word and live as His child with confidence and assurance.
Here are the key takeaways from this lesson:
The anointing you received is the Holy Spirit, the Advocate and Spirit of truth, who will be with you forever. (John 14:16-17)
When you believe in Christ, you are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)
God's seal, the Holy Spirit in your heart, is a pledge and guarantee of what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
The Spirit of God will guide us into all truth that is directly from God. (John 16:13)
The Spirit of God guides you into all truth, speaking only what comes from God. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
Be encouraged. If you have placed your faith in Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to live in you forever. You are never alone or without guidance. The Spirit of truth is within you to teach you, lead you, and strengthen you each day.
You don’t need to rely on false teachers or be swayed by deception, because the Spirit Himself will guide you into all truth. Trust that the Spirit within you is God's promise of your eternal future and a reminder that He is always at work in your life.
Let’s read the first part of 1 John 2:27 one more time.
1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you…
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Jan Zikán on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
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