What does 1 John 2:20-27 mean?

²⁰ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹ I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴ Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶ These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.  (1 John 2:20-27 KJV)

Let Truth Abide in You

Here, the apostle encourages the disciples in these dangerous times, during this hour of deception, assuring them of their stability in this day of apostasy: But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things (1 John 2:20).

We see, first, the blessing they had received—an anointing from heaven. True Christians are anointed ones; their name suggests as much. They are anointed with the oil of grace—spiritual gifts and endowments—by the Spirit of grace, made like Christ in his roles as prophets, priests, and kings to God. The Holy Spirit is compared to oil, as well as to fire and water; and the communication of his saving grace is our anointing.

This blessing comes from the Holy One—either the Holy Spirit or the Lord Christ himself, as in Revelation 3:7, “These things says he who is holy”. Christ bestows the graces of the Holy Spirit, anointing the disciples to make them like himself and to secure them in his truth.

The effect of this anointing is spiritual insight—it enlightens and strengthens the understanding: “And by it you know all things” (1 John 2:20), all things concerning Christ and his gospel; John 14:26. Not all professing disciples receive this equally; those without it may not only fail to remain true to Christ but even become adversaries to his person, kingdom, and glory.

The apostle then explains the intent behind his writing. First, not because he suspected their ignorance of gospel truth: “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth” (1 John 2:21). He expresses confidence in their grasp of the truth and their anointing from above. We should think well of our Christian brothers and sisters unless evidence proves otherwise. Confidence in fellow believers may help encourage and strengthen their faithfulness.

Second, he acknowledges their understanding and discernment: “But because you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). Those who know the truth are prepared to identify what contradicts it. Truth exposes falsehood. Those familiar with Christian truth are well-equipped to resist antichristian error. No lie belongs to true religion—whether natural or revealed. The apostles upheld the integrity of truth and condemned the use of deception to support it. The exposure of past “pious frauds” has contributed to the skepticism of our own age, but true witnesses of Christ have always insisted that no lie is of the truth.

The apostle then condemns the deceivers of the time. They are liars and blatant opponents of sacred truth: “Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” (1 John 2:22). The most dangerous lies Satan spreads are falsehoods about the person of Christ. That Jesus of Nazareth is the Son and Christ of God has been confirmed by heaven, earth, and even hell. Some, under God’s judgment, are given over to strong delusions.

These individuals are not only enemies of Christ but of God himself: “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). To oppose Christ is to reject the Father’s witness and the seal he has given to his Son (John 6:27). Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; he lacks true knowledge of God, for the Son has most fully revealed him. “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). As some manuscripts add, “Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23). Since the Father and Son are united, to know one is to know the other. Those who embrace Christ also retain the light of natural religion.

Therefore, the apostle exhorts them to hold fast to the doctrine they first received: “Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you” (1 John 2:24). Truth is older than error. The gospel concerning Christ, first delivered to the saints, must not be traded for novelties. The apostles, confident in the truth of Christ, were unwilling to forsake it even after all their suffering. This truth has the advantage of antiquity.

This exhortation is supported by several reasons:

1. By remaining in the original truth, they will continue in union with God and Christ: “If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24). It is this abiding truth that separates us from sin and unites us with Christ (John 15:3–4). Christ is the mediator through whom we are joined to the Father.
2. They will receive the promise of eternal life: “This is the promise that he has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25; see also 1 John 5:11). God promises this to those who stay faithful to the truth. Eternal life is a gift only God can give, and it testifies to the value he places on his Son and the gospel.
3. The purpose of the apostle’s writing was to protect them from deceivers: “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you” (1 John 2:26). If they don’t continue in the truth they received, the apostle’s writing will have been in vain. God laments through the prophet Hosea: “I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something strange” (Hosea 8:12).
4. They have received a divine blessing of instruction: “But the anointing you received from him abides in you” (1 John 2:27). True believers have an inward confirmation of the truth. The Holy Spirit seals the doctrine of Christ in their hearts. This divine anointing is a witness to the authenticity of the gospel: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us” (2 Corinthians 1:21).

This anointing is praised for several reasons:

• It lasts: “It abides in you” (1 John 2:27). God’s illumination isn’t temporary. Temptations and errors arise, so the anointing must remain.
• It surpasses human instruction: “And you do not need anyone to teach you” (1 John 2:27). This doesn’t mean human teaching is useless, but rather that divine instruction is superior. God could teach without human means if he chose, but he often works through them. Still, what the Spirit teaches surpasses all.
• It is true and trustworthy: “As his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and not a lie” (1 John 2:27). The Spirit, called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17), teaches all that is necessary in this gospel age. He cannot lie, and all he teaches is aligned with God’s truth.
• It preserves believers in Christ: “Just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). The anointing teaches and secures. It restrains the heart from turning away. “He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).