Lexical Summary chrió: To anoint Original Word: χρίω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance anoint. Probably akin to chraomai through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service -- anoint. see GREEK chraomai HELPS Word-studies 5548 xríō – to anoint by rubbing or pouring olive oil on someone to represent the flow (empowering) of the Holy Spirit. Anointing (literally) involved rubbing olive oil on the head, etc., especially to present someone as divinely-authorized (appointed by God) to serve as prophet, priest or king, etc. See 1 Ki 19:16; Lev 8:12; Ps 133:2; 1 Sam 10:1, 16:13; 2 Sam 2:4, 5:3. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition to anoint NASB Translation anointed (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5548: χρίωχρίω: 1 aorist ἀχρισα; (akin to χείρ ((?), see Curtius, § 201), χραίνω; properly, 'to touch with the hand', 'to besmear'); from Homer down; the Sept. for מָשַׁח; to anoint (on the persons who received anointing among the Hebrews, see χρῖσμα); in the N. T. only tropically, of God a. consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with powers necessary for its administration (see χρῖσμα): Luke 4:18 (after Isaiah 61:1); contrary to common usage with an accusative of the thing, ἔλαιον, (like verbs of clothing, putting on, etc. (cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 4 a.; Buttmann, § 131, 6)), Hebrews 1:9 (from Psalm 44:8 b. enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit (cf. Westcott on 1 John 2:20): 2 Corinthians 1:21. (Compare: ἐγχρίω, ἐπιχρίω. Synonym: see ἀλείφω, at the end) Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, anointing marked divine appointment—kings (1 Samuel 16:13), priests (Exodus 28:41), and prophets (1 Kings 19:16) were set apart by oil as a visible pledge of the Spirit’s empowering presence. By the first century, this rite had forged a clear messianic expectation: the Coming One would be “the Anointed” par excellence. Fulfillment in the Person of Jesus Christ Luke records Jesus reading Isaiah and declaring, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). This inaugural proclamation in Nazareth presents the Messiah’s anointing as Spirit-bestowed, mission-defining, and Scripture-fulfilling. Peter echoes the same theme before Cornelius: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). The anointing signals divine endorsement and the supernatural equipment necessary for ministry. Anointing and the Triune Godhead Hebrews 1:9 applies Psalm 45:7 to the Son: “Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions”. Here the Father anoints the exalted Son, highlighting intra-Trinitarian harmony. Acts 4:27 reinforces this, identifying Jesus as “Your holy servant … whom You anointed,” while the prayer scene itself is addressed to the Father and sealed by the Spirit’s filling (Acts 4:31). Thus, every New Testament occurrence of 5548 portrays the Godhead acting in perfect unity. Extension of Anointing to the Church Paul writes, “Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us” (2 Corinthians 1:21). The same divine action that set apart the Messiah now marks all who are “in Christ.” Unlike the ceremonial oil of the Old Covenant, the New Covenant anointing is the indwelling Spirit Himself (2 Corinthians 1:22). Empowerment for witness, discernment, endurance, and gifted service flows from this spiritual anointing. Ministry Functions of the Anointing 1. Proclamation: As with Jesus, Spirit-anointed believers declare liberty to captives and sight to the blind (Luke 4:18-19). Eschatological Significance The Messiah’s anointing inaugurates the “last days” outpouring promised in Joel. As believers share in that anointing, they become firstfruits of the coming kingdom. Ultimately the fully anointed King will return to reign, completing the typology of priest, prophet, and king. Summary of New Testament Usage • Luke 4:18 – Jesus announces Spirit-empowered messianic mission. Practical Implications for Believers Today Recognizing God’s anointing fosters dependence on the Spirit rather than human skill, guards against self-promotion, and calls the church to holy service. Confidence in the once-for-all anointing of Christ anchors assurance; participation in that anointing energizes ongoing ministry until He returns. Englishman's Concordance Luke 4:18 V-AIA-3SGRK: οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με εὐαγγελίσασθαι NAS: IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL KJV: because he hath anointed me INT: of which because he anointed me to preach good news Acts 4:27 V-AIA-2S Acts 10:38 V-AIA-3S 2 Corinthians 1:21 V-APA-NMS Hebrews 1:9 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 5548 |
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