probably akin to χράομαι through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service:--anoint.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb χρίω (chrio, `{{G5548}}`) fundamentally means "to smear" or "to rub with oil." This literal action, common in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures for various purposes (e.g., hygiene, medicine, preparation for athletics), carries a profound metaphorical and theological implication within biblical contexts. By extension, χρίω signifies "to consecrate," "to set apart," or "to appoint to an office or sacred service." The physical application of oil served as a tangible sign of a divine act of empowerment, designation, and endowment with authority or special grace. Unlike some other terms related to physical cleansing or bathing, χρίω specifically denotes the application of a substance, usually oil, for a purposeful, often ceremonial, act.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of χρίω in the New Testament consistently reflect its meaning of divine consecration and empowerment, primarily in relation to Jesus Christ and, by extension, to believers.
1. **Mark 6:13**: Here, the disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them." This instance reflects a practical application, likely combining a medicinal understanding of oil with a spiritual act of faith, invoking God's healing power. It points to an anointing for physical restoration and divine intervention.
2. **Luke 4:18**: Jesus, quoting from [[Isaiah 61:1]], declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor." This is a pivotal messianic declaration. χρίω here signifies Jesus' divine appointment and empowerment by the Holy Spirit for His prophetic, evangelistic, and liberating ministry. It defines His very identity and mission.
3. **Acts 4:27**: In a prayer of the early church, they acknowledge God's act: "For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel." This verse reiterates the divine initiative in anointing Jesus, confirming His unique status as God's chosen servant.
4. **Acts 10:38**: Peter preaches that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." This verse clearly links Jesus' anointing by God directly to His empowerment by the Holy Spirit, which enabled His miraculous ministry of healing and deliverance. The anointing is not merely ceremonial but functional, equipping Him for active service.
5. **2 Corinthians 1:21**: Paul writes to believers, "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us." Here, the concept of anointing extends to believers. This anointing is by God, in Christ, and signifies the divine setting apart and equipping of believers with the Holy Spirit for their walk and service.
6. **Hebrews 1:9**: Quoting [[Psalm 45:7]] concerning the Son, the author states, "Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." This highlights Jesus' unique anointing as King and Son, superior to all others, signifying His preeminence and the joy that accompanies His divine appointment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The verb χρίω (chrio, `{{G5548}}`) is intrinsically linked to several other significant Greek terms and Old Testament concepts:
1. **χριστός (Christos, `{{G5547}}`)**: This is the most direct and profoundly significant derivative. Christos means "Anointed One" and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah" (מָשַׁח, mashach, `{{H4886}}`). It is the primary title for Jesus, signifying His unique role as the divinely appointed Prophet, Priest, and King. The very name "Jesus Christ" asserts His identity as the Anointed Savior.
2. **χρῖσμα (chrisma, `{{G5545}}`)**: This noun refers to the "anointing" itself, often specifically the anointing of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 1 John 2:20 and 2:27, believers are said to have an "anointing from the Holy One," which teaches them all things and abides in them. This underscores the indwelling presence and teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
3. **Old Testament Anointing (מָשַׁח, mashach, `{{H4886}}`)**: The concept of anointing is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where kings (e.g., Saul, David), priests (e.g., Aaron), and sometimes prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of their divine selection and empowerment for their respective offices. This physical act symbolized the conferral of God's Spirit and authority. χρίω in the New Testament directly builds upon this rich Hebrew tradition.
4. **Holy Spirit (πνεῦμα ἅγιον, pneuma hagion, `{{G4151}}` `{{G40}}`)**: In the New Testament, the anointing of God is primarily understood as the outpouring and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the agent and the substance of the divine anointing, empowering individuals for service, witness, and spiritual understanding.
5. **Oil (ἔλαιον, elaion, `{{G1637}}`)**: While χρίω can refer to the physical act of anointing with oil, in the New Testament, the emphasis shifts from the physical medium to the spiritual reality it symbolizes – the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, often associated with joy, healing, and consecration.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of χρίω is immense, particularly as it pertains to the identity and mission of Jesus Christ and, by extension, the experience of believers.
1. **The Identity of Jesus as the Christ**: The most profound theological implication is that χρίω defines Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One. His anointing by God with the Holy Spirit (e.g., at His baptism, [[Luke 3:22]], [[Luke 4:18]], [[Acts 10:38]]) signifies His unique divine appointment and empowerment for His redemptive work. He is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, fulfilling the Old Testament messianic prophecies. His anointing is not merely ceremonial but functional, equipping Him with divine authority and power for His ministry of teaching, healing, delivering, and ultimately, atoning for sin.
2. **Empowerment for Ministry**: The anointing, whether of Jesus or His disciples, is intrinsically linked to divine empowerment for service. It is the enablement by the Holy Spirit that allows for effective ministry, whether it be preaching the gospel, healing the sick, or casting out demons. This anointing demonstrates God's active presence and power working through His chosen instruments.
3. **Believers' Participation in Christ's Anointing**: Through union with Christ, believers also receive an anointing from God (e.g., [[2 Corinthians 1:21]], [[1 John 2:20]], [[1 John 2:27]]). This signifies their consecration to God, their indwelling by the Holy Spirit, and their empowerment for witness and service. It marks them as belonging to Christ and sharing in His mission. This anointing provides spiritual discernment and enables them to understand divine truth.
4. **Divine Initiative**: The act of anointing is consistently portrayed as a divine initiative. It is God who anoints, setting apart individuals for His purposes and equipping them with His Spirit. This underscores God's sovereignty and His active involvement in establishing His Kingdom.
5. **Transition from Ritual to Spiritual Reality**: While Old Testament anointing often involved physical oil, the New Testament emphasizes the spiritual reality of the Holy Spirit's anointing. This shift highlights the internal, abiding presence of God's Spirit in believers, rather than solely an external ritual.
### Summary
The Greek verb χρίω (chrio, `{{G5548}}`) moves from its literal meaning of "to smear or rub with oil" to the profound theological sense of "to consecrate," "to set apart," and "to empower by divine appointment." Its most significant application in the New Testament is in defining the identity and mission of Jesus as the Christ, the "Anointed One," uniquely set apart by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King. Furthermore, χρίω extends to believers, signifying their divine consecration and empowerment through the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling them for spiritual understanding, service, and witness in the world. The term underscores God's sovereign act of equipping individuals for His divine purposes, transitioning from a physical ritual to a spiritual reality centered on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.
TRV