1 John 2:27

‘And as for you, the anointing which you received of him abides in you, and you need not that any one 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 abide in him.'

John is confident that they will not be led astray because ‘the anointing they have received' abides in them and teaches them concerning all things. Again we can refer to John 14:26; John 16:13. The Spirit of truth (the anointing) takes of the word and, abiding within them, teaches them the truth, so that they abide in ‘Him'. Thus they need no other teachers from outside. Those appointed to watch over them and minister by the Spirit in the assembly are sufficient. Thus will they receive truth and not Satan's lie.

The anointing was received ‘from Him' and they abide in ‘Him'. Again we ask if this is the Father or Jesus Christ. This continual ambiguity suggests that the relationship with Father and Son was seen as so much one that he did not care to distinguish. As he said in 1 John 2:23 ‘he who confesses the Son has the Father also'. However, 1 John 2:28 suggests that we should see the primary reference as to Jesus Christ.

The Christian's Hope 1 John 2:28 to 1 John 3:1.

That this is a new sub-section is suggested by the reference again to ‘little children'. Each sub-section is opened with such an appellation (1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:7; 1 John 2:12; 1Jn 2:18; 1 John 3:2; 1 John 3:7). Now He turns their thought to the future coming of ‘Him'. He is to be manifested, revealed in His fullness, at His coming. But the very wording also connects it with what has gone before. It is very much a transitional statement.