1 John 2:20

5. The purifying unction will preserve you from uniting with the antichristic revolt, 1 John 2:20-29.

20. But Rather, και , and. It connects with continued, and proceeds to show how his readers may continue in the catholic body; namely, by unction of the Spirit; by using their perfect knowledge of the true apostolic doctrine; and by a firm determination of the will to abide.

Unction A chrism or anointing oil. The anointing with oil in the dry climate of the east is a means of bodily health and comfort. Hence the anointing-oil became a symbol of divine benediction. In this view, not only in ancient Israel, but even in ancient Egypt, the anointing ceremony was used in inducting kings and priests into their sacred office. Compare Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3; Judges 9:8; Judges 9:15; 1Sa 9:16 ; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 1:34; 1 Kings 1:39. “The Lord’s anointed” was, indeed, the king’s title. The word Christ signifies anointed, as chrism signifies the oil or the anointment. Note on Matthew 1:1. And here the unction, or chrism, is used in contrast to the antichrists, who left Christ and became antichrists, because they had no such sanctifying chrism.

Know all things All, the whole doctrine of Christ; missing which the antichrists revolted.