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.
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. John reassures believers of their spiritual resources against seducers. "But the anointing which ye have received" (kai hymeis to chrisma ho elabete ap' autou)—chrisma (anointing) is the Holy Spirit (cf. verse 20). The aorist "have received" (elabete) indicates definite past reception at conversion. "Of him" (ap' autou) refers to Christ—believers received the Spirit from Him (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7).
"Abideth in you" (menei en hymin)—the Spirit's presence is permanent, not temporary or conditional. "And ye need not that any man teach you" (kai ou chreian echete hina tis didaskē hymas)—this doesn't deny the need for human teachers (Ephesians 4:11) but refutes false teachers' claims that believers need their superior knowledge to supplement apostolic gospel. Believers possess the Spirit, who teaches truth; they don't need Gnostic "enlightenment."
"But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things" (all' hōs to autou chrisma didaskei hymas peri pantōn)—the Spirit teaches "all things" (essential truth necessary for salvation and godliness), fulfilling Jesus' promise (John 14:26, 16:13). "And is truth, and is no lie" (kai alēthes estin kai ouk estin pseudos)—the Spirit's teaching is utterly reliable, not deceptive. "And even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (kai kathōs edidaxen hymas, meneite en autō)—following the Spirit's teaching ensures abiding in Christ. The Spirit doesn't lead into novel doctrine but confirms apostolic truth, enabling perseverance.
Historical Context
Jesus promised the Spirit would guide disciples into all truth (John 16:13), teach all things, and bring His words to remembrance (John 14:26). At Pentecost, the Spirit descended on all believers (Acts 2), fulfilling Joel's prophecy: "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28). No longer was the Spirit limited to select prophets, priests, and kings; all believers received Him.
This democratization of Spirit-possession contradicted both Jewish expectations (Spirit for leaders only) and Gnostic elitism (enlightenment for spiritual aristocracy). John declares: every believer has the Spirit's anointing and teaching. Ordinary Christians need not feel inferior to false teachers claiming superior knowledge—the Spirit dwells in all believers, teaching essential truth.
This passage doesn't negate human teachers—Paul, John, and other apostles clearly taught believers. Rather, it affirms that the Spirit's internal witness authenticates apostolic teaching and exposes error. Human teachers are servants; the Spirit is ultimate Teacher. The Reformation emphasized this, encouraging believers to test all teaching by Scripture under the Spirit's illumination. Private judgment informed by Spirit and Scripture guards against both clericalism and individualistic error.
Questions for Reflection
How does the Spirit's anointing and teaching function in your life—practically, how does He guide you into truth?
What's the relationship between the Spirit's internal teaching and faithful human teachers—how do both work together?
How can you cultivate greater sensitivity to the Spirit's teaching when evaluating doctrines, teachers, and personal decisions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. John reassures believers of their spiritual resources against seducers. "But the anointing which ye have received" (kai hymeis to chrisma ho elabete ap' autou)—chrisma (anointing) is the Holy Spirit (cf. verse 20). The aorist "have received" (elabete) indicates definite past reception at conversion. "Of him" (ap' autou) refers to Christ—believers received the Spirit from Him (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7).
"Abideth in you" (menei en hymin)—the Spirit's presence is permanent, not temporary or conditional. "And ye need not that any man teach you" (kai ou chreian echete hina tis didaskē hymas)—this doesn't deny the need for human teachers (Ephesians 4:11) but refutes false teachers' claims that believers need their superior knowledge to supplement apostolic gospel. Believers possess the Spirit, who teaches truth; they don't need Gnostic "enlightenment."
"But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things" (all' hōs to autou chrisma didaskei hymas peri pantōn)—the Spirit teaches "all things" (essential truth necessary for salvation and godliness), fulfilling Jesus' promise (John 14:26, 16:13). "And is truth, and is no lie" (kai alēthes estin kai ouk estin pseudos)—the Spirit's teaching is utterly reliable, not deceptive. "And even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (kai kathōs edidaxen hymas, meneite en autō)—following the Spirit's teaching ensures abiding in Christ. The Spirit doesn't lead into novel doctrine but confirms apostolic truth, enabling perseverance.