1 John 2:27
What does 1 John 2:27 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 2:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 2:27 means
Believers have an abiding anointing—the Holy Spirit—from Christ. This anointing teaches “concerning all things,” meaning all that is necessary to discern truth from error about the gospel. It is “true, and is no lie.” Therefore, they do not need new, independent teachers who contradict the apostolic message. John is not dismissing faithful instruction; he is rejecting so-called teachers who bring novelty against Christ. The Spirit anchors believers in the truth they first received and enables them to remain in Jesus. The call is simple and profound: as His anointing has taught you, continue to abide in Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As for you, the Spirit which he gave you is still in you, and you have no need of any teacher; but as his Spirit gives you teaching about all things, and is true and not false, so keep your hearts in him, through the teaching which he has given you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and you, the anointing that ye did receive from him, in you it doth remain, and ye have no need that any one may teach you, but as the same anointing doth teach you concerning all, and is true, and is not a lie, and even as was taught you, ye shall remain in him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as for you, let the unction, which you have received from him abide in you. And you have no need that any man teach you: but as his unction teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie. And as it hath taught you, abide in him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and yourselves, the unction which ye have received from him abides in you, and ye have not need that any one should teach you; but as the same unction teaches you as to all things, and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Context
After stating his protective purpose (verse 26), John fortifies believers with the resource God has given: the abiding, truth-teaching anointing (verse 27). This internal witness aligns with the apostolic message and keeps them in Christ. With this foundation, John will close the chapter (verse 28) by urging ongoing abiding so that, when Christ appears, believers and their teachers may have boldness rather than shame. Verse 29 will then mark righteous living as the evidence of new birth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Ephesians 4:21
if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
- 1 Peter 1:23
having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
- John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
- Colossians 2:6
As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
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