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I. THIS ANOINTING IS A GIFT. It is "the anointing which ye have received." It is contrasted in the context with the transient possessions of worldly men. To these, what seems to be solid melts into air; what seems to be permanent vanishes away.

II. THIS ANOINTING IS A HEART-CLEANSING GIFT. Those who have it mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit (Romans 8:13), and purify themselves even as Christ is pure (chap. 1 John 3:3). Not through any natural power of willing and working, but through the Spirit, they are able to do these things.

III. THIS ANOINTING IS A HEART-ENLARGING GIFT. A man's calling and election once made sure to his own mind, the sphere of his studies becomes enlarged. It is not written, One thing have I desired of the Lord that I may be saved, but (Psalm 27:4).

IV. THIS ANOINTING IS A HEART-CHEERING GIFT. It is the oil of gladness (Psalm 45:7), the oil of joy (Isaiah 61:3), the source of joy unspeakable, never-ending, and glorious (1 Peter 1:8).

V. THIS ANOINTING WAS A GIFT DIVINELY GIVEN TO CHRIST. As to His human nature He was richly endued. The Spirit of God rested upon Him (Isaiah 11:2; John 1:32, 33). He was therewith anointed above his fellows (Psalm 45:7)

VI. THIS ANOINTING IS A GIFT DIVINELY GIVEN TO HIS PEOPLE. It is "the anointing which ye have received of Him" — not only as a proof that they are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, but also as their instructor and guide (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2).

VII. THIS ANOINTING IS A DISTINGUISHING GIFT. It "is the anointing which ye have received." As the anointing under the law, which is no doubt alluded to in the text, was of a sweet savour, so we, as many as are anointed with His Spirit, are thereby made a sweet savour of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). As that anointing oil was sprinkled upon Aaron and his sons (who represent the Church, as pointedly distinguished from the rest of the congregation), so Christ sends the comforter to His disciples, whom He pointedly distinguishes from the world (John 14:16, 17). As the anointing oil was forbidden to be poured upon the flesh of man (Exodus 30:25-33), so the Holy Ghost cannot be received by the world, which, in the present dispensation, "seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him."

VIII. THIS ANOINTING IS A PERMANENT GIFT. It is "the anointing which abideth in you." It is permanent as opposed to those proffers of grace, so called, which, depending on the volition of the creature, are worse than precarious. This distinctive mark cannot suffer abrasure or be blown away. Its permanence is chiefly shown by the vitality of our union to Christ (John 15:5), by the reality of our participation in the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), by the eternity of the life of which the Spirit is the demonstrator and source (1 John 5:11), and by the stability of the covenant under which that life is promised (1 John 2:25).

IX. THIS ANOINTING IS A TRUTHFUL GIFT. It is truth. It is truthful as opposed to those false misgivings, whether from the flesh or the devil, which frequently trouble the Christian. It is truthful, also, as opposed to the shadows of the law. It is truthful, also, as opposed to the lies and hypocrisy of false professors.

X. THIS ANOINTING IS A SUFFICIENT GIFT. Giving sufficiency to that spiritual judgment, that noble and inestimable endowment, which alone can distinguish truth from error.

(The Evangelical Preacher.)

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KJV: These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

WEB: These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.