Strong’s G5547: From χρίω (chriō), Χριστός denotes “the Anointed One,” the promised Messiah of Jewish expectation who fulfills divine prophecy. This title, transformed into a proper name, identifies Jesus as God’s chosen ruler, consecrated and empowered by the Spirit for His redemptive mission.

U- Unveiling the Word

Χριστός (Christos) carries profound theological significance as the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew משיח (Mashiach). The term literally means “anointed one” and comes from the practice of anointing kings and priests with oil, symbolizing divine appointment and empowerment. In the New Testament, this title becomes virtually synonymous with Jesus, identifying Him as the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. The early church’s use of Χριστός evolved from a title (“the Messiah”) to a proper name (“Jesus the Messiah”), reflecting their recognition of Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and the world.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Χριστός, Christos, /khrē-STÓS/
• Detailed pronunciation: kh (as in Bach) + ree + STÓS (stress on final syllable)
• Part of Speech: Adjective used as Noun

Etymology:

• Root: χρίω (chriō) – to anoint
• Suffix: -τος (-tos) – verbal adjective suffix indicating completed action
• Function: Transforms the verb “to anoint” into “anointed one”

D – Defining Meanings

• The Anointed One
• One commissioned by God
• The promised Messiah

For compound words: Not a compound word, but derives from χρίω with the -τος suffix indicating completed action.

Translation Options:

• Messiah – Best captures the Hebrew concept and divine appointment
• Anointed One – Most literal translation emphasizing divine selection
• Christ – Traditional transliteration that has become a proper name

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χρῖσμα (chrisma) /KHREES-mah/ – anointing – See G5545
• χρίω (chriō) /KHREE-oh/ – to anoint – See G5548
• ἀλείφω (aleiphō) /ah-LAY-foh/ – to anoint (physically) – See G218

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative: Χριστός (the Messiah)
• Genitive: Χριστοῦ (of the Messiah)
• Dative: Χριστῷ (to/for the Messiah)
• Accusative: Χριστόν (the Messiah as direct object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The comprehensive analysis of Χριστός across major lexicons reveals its evolution from a general term for “anointed” to its specific application to Jesus. BDAG emphasizes its fulfillment of Jewish messianic expectations, while Thayer’s highlights its transition from title to proper name. LSJ provides classical usage contexts, showing its earlier meaning of “rubbed on” or “spread on.” Vine’s connects it to Old Testament anointing practices, while Moulton and Milligan document its usage in papyri. The LEH specifically addresses its use in the Septuagint as the translation for משיח, establishing its messianic significance before the New Testament era.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
The book of the genealogy of Jesus [Χριστός] the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

Additional References:
Mark 1:1, Luke 2:11, John 1:41, Acts 2:36, Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Galatians 3:16, Philippians 2:11, Revelation 11:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Χριστός represents the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, marking Jesus as the divinely appointed Savior. This term bridges the Old Testament promises with their New Testament fulfillment, declaring Jesus as God’s chosen King. The transformation of this word from a title to a name reflects the early church’s profound recognition of Jesus as the ultimate Anointed One. This word proclaims the good news that God has sent His promised Deliverer, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.

D – Did You Know?

1. Χριστός appears over 500 times in the New Testament
2. The earliest non-Biblical reference to “Christians” (followers of Χριστός) comes from Tacitus around 115 AD
3. The fish symbol (ΙΧΘΥΣ) used by early Christians includes Χριστός as its second letter

Strong’s G5547: From χρίω (chriō), Χριστός denotes “the Anointed One,” the promised Messiah of Jewish expectation who fulfills divine prophecy. This title, transformed into a proper name, identifies Jesus as God’s chosen ruler, consecrated and empowered by the Spirit for His redemptive mission.

Part of speech: Adjective used as Noun

Tags: messiah, anointed-one, jesus, king, savior, prophecy, divine-appointment, redemption, salvation, hebrew-mashiach​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​