1 John 2:20
The James Method Verse Mapping
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1 John 2:20 (NIV, 1984 version):
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Here’s the concept map I created for this verse:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 2:20. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 2:20 (NIV 1984)
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Translations (key differences bolded)
KJV: But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
NKJV: But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
NASB20: But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
NLT: But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.
ESV: But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
NET: Nevertheless you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: Contrast between those who know the truth and those who follow lies
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Anointing
Greek:
Definition: ointment, prepared from oil and aromatic herbs; figuratively, the special endowment of the Holy Spirit
Holy
Definition: dedicated or consecrated to God, sacred, exalted, worthy of complete devotion
Holy One
Greek:
Definition: most holy thing, often referring to the Holy Spirit or to Jesus
Know
Greek:
Definition: to see, to perceive with the senses, to know, understand facts, force and meaning of something with definite meaning, to pay attention to
All
Greek:
Definition: individually - each, every, everyone; collectively - some of all types
Truth
Greek:
Definition: in reality, in fact, certainly, true in things pertaining to God and the duties of man, truth as taught in the Bible
Cross References
2 Corinthians 1:21-22: 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
God anointed us and put his Spirit in our hearts.
1 John 2:27: As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Anointing received from Jesus teaches us about all things.
1 John 4:13: This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
We live in Jesus and he in us because he has given us his Spirit.
Mark 1:24: “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Even the evil spirits recognized Jesus as the Holy One.
John 14:26: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
God will send the Holy Spirit to teach us.
John 16:13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Spirit of truth will guide us into truth.
John 8:31-32: 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
If we are Jesus’ disciples, we will know the truth.
View of God
God is holy, and he wants to share his holiness with his people. He does this by anointing us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps guide people to God’s truth. God is truth, and in him there is no falsehood.
View of Man/Self
If we follow Jesus, we receive a great gift - the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we can learn about what it means to live for Christ, we can live in Jesus, and we can know the truth.
Reflection and Application
In context, it seems like the anointing here is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy One is Jesus. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his believers/followers, and it is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. That means if I am a believer in Jesus, he has given me his Holy Spirit, and I can trust the Holy Spirit to guide me to the truth. I can’t depend on myself to recognize truth, but the Holy Spirit will give me wisdom and discernment to recognize truth.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to teach us how to live for you. I pray that I would rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my life so that I can continually become more like you. With your Spirit inside of me, I can trust that I will develop your character and honor you with my words and actions and thoughts.