Unction
What Is Unction?
The word "unction" appears in the King James Version at 1 John 2:20, where the apostle writes, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." Modern translations render the underlying Greek word "chrisma" as "anointing" rather than "unction," which is the same translation the KJV itself uses just a few verses later in 1 John 2:27. Both English words convey the same concept: the spiritual gift or endowment that believers receive from God through the Holy Spirit.
The Greek Word Chrisma
The Greek noun "chrisma" comes from the verb "chrio," meaning to anoint or smear with oil. This is the same root from which the title "Christ" (Christos, the Anointed One) derives. In the ancient world, anointing with oil served multiple purposes: it was used in the consecration of priests (Exodus 29:7), the installation of kings (1 Samuel 16:13), and the healing of the sick (James 5:14). When John uses "chrisma" to describe what believers possess, he draws on this rich tradition to describe a spiritual reality rather than a physical act.
The Context of 1 John 2
John's discussion of unction occurs within a passage warning about false teachers and antichrists (1 John 2:18-27). Some individuals had left the community, promoting deceptive teachings. In response, John reassures his readers that they possess an anointing from the Holy One that enables them to distinguish truth from error. The unction is not a mystical feeling but a genuine spiritual capacity for discernment given by God. In 1 John 2:27, John elaborates: "The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
Old Testament Roots of Anointing
The concept of anointing has deep roots in the Old Testament. Priests were anointed with sacred oil as part of their consecration (Leviticus 8:12). Kings received anointing as a sign of God's selection and empowerment, as when Samuel anointed David (1 Samuel 16:13). Prophets, too, were described as anointed for their mission (1 Kings 19:16). In each case, the anointing signified that God had set someone apart and equipped them with His Spirit for a particular purpose. The New Testament extends this concept to all believers.
Theological Importance
The doctrine of unction teaches that every genuine believer has direct access to divine truth through the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence. This does not eliminate the need for teachers and pastors, but it affirms that Christians are not left defenseless against deception. The same Spirit who inspired Scripture illuminates the hearts and minds of those who belong to Christ, enabling them to recognize and hold fast to the truth. This teaching has been foundational in Christian theology's understanding of the priesthood of all believers.
Biblical Context
Unction (anointing) appears in 1 John 2:20 and is expanded in 1 John 2:27. The concept is set within John's warning against false teachers and antichrists, assuring believers that the Holy Spirit's anointing gives them discernment. The broader anointing theme runs throughout both Testaments.
Theological Significance
Unction affirms that all believers receive the Holy Spirit's anointing, giving them the capacity to discern truth from error. This teaching undergirds the Protestant doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit. It provides assurance that God actively equips His people to stand against deception.
Historical Background
Anointing with oil was a widespread practice in the ancient Near East for consecration, healing, and hospitality. In Israel, it held special significance for setting apart priests, kings, and prophets. The early church understood the spiritual anointing of 1 John as connected to baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit, a theme developed extensively by church fathers like Cyril of Jerusalem.