Sacred Anointing: χρῖσμα (Strong’s G5545: chrisma) Imparts Divine Spiritual Knowledge

Strong’s G5545: From χρίω (to anoint). Refers to an anointing or endowment, particularly the spiritual illumination and divine teaching given by the Holy Spirit to believers. In early church context, represented the tangible impartation of divine grace and spiritual understanding.

U- Unveiling the Word

χρῖσμα represents the divine endowment of spiritual understanding and discernment given to believers by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to the supernatural impartation that enables Christians to discern truth from error and understand spiritual matters. This concept was deeply significant in early church theology, where it represented not just knowledge but a divine enabling that transformed believers’ understanding. The term carried both literal (physical anointing) and metaphorical (spiritual empowerment) meanings. Today, χρῖσμα remains crucial in understanding how the Holy Spirit teaches and guides believers in truth.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: χρῖσμα, chrisma, /KRIS-mah/
• Detailed pronunciation: KRIS (like ‘crisis’ without ‘-is’) – mah (like ‘ma’ in ‘mama’)
• Part of Speech: Neuter Noun

Etymology:

• χρίω (chrio) – to anoint, consecrate
• -μα (-ma) – noun-forming suffix indicating result of action
• Combined meaning: that which is smeared on, an anointing

D – Defining Meanings

• An anointing substance
• The act of anointing
• Divine endowment of spiritual knowledge
• Supernatural empowerment for understanding truth

For compound words:
The root χρίω carries the action of anointing, while the suffix -μα indicates the result or effect of that action.

Translation Options:

• Anointing – captures both physical and spiritual aspects
• Endowment – emphasizes the gift aspect but loses sacred connotation
• Divine enablement – captures supernatural aspect but misses historical context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χρίσις (chrisis) /KREE-sis/ – the act of anointing – See G5548
• χρίσμα (chrisma) /KRIS-mah/ – the anointed substance – See G5545
• ἄλειμμα (aleimma) /ah-LIME-mah/ – oil for anointing – See G218

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Neuter Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative/Accusative (χρῖσμα), Genitive (χρίσματος), Dative (χρίσματι)
• Number: Singular and plural forms
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third declension

The -μα ending indicates a result noun, showing the effect or product of the action. In English, this would be similar to how ‘-ing’ can form nouns from verbs (teach → teaching).

• Related verb: χρίω (to anoint)
• Related adjective: χριστός (anointed)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide comprehensive understanding of χρῖσμα. BDAG emphasizes its connection to divine empowerment and spiritual illumination. Thayer’s highlights both its literal and metaphorical meanings in biblical usage. LSJ traces its development from physical anointing in classical Greek to spiritual significance. Vine’s emphasizes its exclusive use in 1 John for divine teaching. Strong’s connects it to consecration and spiritual endowment. Moulton and Milligan note its technical usage in religious contexts. The lexicons collectively show how χρῖσμα evolved from a physical concept to a profound spiritual reality in Christian theology.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
1 John 2:20 “But you have an anointing [χρῖσμα] from the Holy One, and you all know.”

Additional References:
1 John 2:27

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

χρῖσμα beautifully illustrates how the Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual understanding and discernment. This divine enablement emphasizes that true spiritual knowledge comes not through human wisdom but through God’s gracious gift. It proclaims the good news that in the Messiah, we receive not just salvation but divine empowerment to know and understand God’s truth. This anointing makes every believer capable of discerning truth from error through the Holy Spirit’s teaching.

D – Did You Know?

• The word χρῖσμα is the origin of our English word “chrism” used in ecclesiastical contexts
• In early church practice, χρῖσμα referred to both the physical oil used in baptism and the spiritual reality it symbolized
• The word appears only in 1 John, making it a unique theological term in the New Testament

Strong’s G5545: From χρίω (to anoint). Refers to an anointing or endowment, particularly the spiritual illumination and divine teaching given by the Holy Spirit to believers. In early church context, represented the tangible impartation of divine grace and spiritual understanding.

Part of speech: Neuter Noun

Tags: anointing, holy-spirit, spiritual-gifts, divine-enablement, spiritual-understanding, discernment, illumination, teaching, wisdom, divine-knowledge​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​