1:21-22 What is the anointing Paul refers to here?
1:21-22 What is the anointing Paul refers to here?
Through their union with Jesus believers are anointed with the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus called being "endued with power from on high" (CP Lu 24:49 with Ac 1:4-8 and 2:1-4). The anointing with the Holy Spirit is inextricably bound to Christ's command to preach the gospel. It is the empowering believers receive for service. This is the same anointing Jesus had (CP Lu 4:18-19; Ac 10:38; He 1:9).
This anointing also enables believers to discriminate against bad teaching in the church (CP 1Jn 2:20-27). It should be noted here that contrary to what a great many Christians in the contemporary church believe, John is not teaching here that believers have no need of teachers to instruct them in the word. He is simply saying that they have no need of the "seducers" in V26 who were false teachers (CP V26 with Eph 4:11-16).
The teachers Christ gave to the church are needed, and will remain there until His purpose for the church is fulfilled at the end of the church age. Earnest in 2Cor 1:22 (KJV), refers to the Holy Spirit as God's pledge to believers that they will participate in all the blessings of the age to come (CP 5:5 with Ro 8:23; Eph 1:9-14 and 1Pe 1:1-5).
The Holy Spirit is God's seal upon believers, identifying them as belonging to Him (CP Ro 8:9; 2Cor 3:18; 2Ti 2:19; Rev 2:17). See also comments on 2Cor 5:5, Eph 1:11-14, 1Jn 5:10-14.