χρῖσμα (chrisma)
chrisma
anointing
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chrisma refers to an anointing or the ointment used in that ritual act. Derived from the verb for anointing, it appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the First Epistle of John (2:20 and 2:27). In these contexts, it denotes a spiritual impartation rather than a physical substance.
While the word can simply mean unguent or oil prepared with aromatic herbs, John uses it metaphorically to describe the Holy Spirit’s presence within believers. This anointing is portrayed as a permanent teaching resource that keeps Christians grounded in truth, distinguishing their internal spiritual reality from external false teachings.
The term carries significant theological weight by linking believers directly to the concept of Christ, whose name means "Anointed One." By possessing this chrisma, Christians are understood to have received the same divine empowerment and guidance that characterized Jesus’ own ministry, ensuring they remain in the truth without needing external correction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chrisma points to a quiet, internal reality rather than an external ritual. In the First Epistle of John, it describes the Holy Spirit’s presence within believers as a permanent teaching resource. This anointing is not a physical substance but a spiritual impartation that keeps Christians grounded in truth.
John reminds us that this divine guidance is sufficient for our walk with God. As 1 John 2:27 states, the anointing you received remains in you and teaches you concerning all things. This means you do not need to rely solely on external correction or human wisdom to discern what is true.
When false teachings arise, this internal witness provides clarity. It connects us directly to Christ, the Anointed One, ensuring we remain in Him. This assurance allows us to face uncertainty with peace, knowing the same Spirit that guided Jesus now guides us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- anointing2×
- [the] anointing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρῖσμα3×
Key Verses
-
I John 2:20
You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
This verse establishes the source of the anointing as coming from the Holy One, linking the believer's knowledge directly to divine origin rather than human effort.
-
I John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
Here the word highlights the sufficiency of the Spirit's teaching, explaining why believers do not need external teachers to guide them into all truth.