Having a fascinating origin, the Greek Christos (G5547) initially carried a completely worldly meaning in Classical Greek. It came from chierin which means, to rub lightly, or spread over something. It was also used with reference to preparing arrows for combat by rubbing them with poison. Rubbing with body oil after a bath was another regular us of the word.
Its Hebrew equivalent in the OT is mēsiah (Messiah), a reference to the ceremonial holy oil anointing of a person for an office as in the case of David’s anointing as king in 2 Sam.2:7. Aaron’s priestly anointing as described in Psalm 133 is another use of this word.
The word emerges, however with additional power and influence in the NT. It’s particularly noteworthy that on all of the main occasions of His life and ministry Christos is connected to “the Lord Jesus.” This stands out most when Jesus questions His disciples about His recognized identity: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt.16:13-16 ESV.
Notice how Peter’s answer hits the nail on the head prompting Jesus’ remarkable claim proving His deity, ‘And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”. Matt. 16:17 ESV.
What is most important is the definite article “the” before Christ (ho Christos), for it reveals that the Lord Jesus is the solitary Anointed One, the solitary Son of God, the solitary Savior. No wonder John could say, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ) John 1:41 ESV.
Knowing without a doubt that we worship the one and only Anointed One is a tremendous blessing indeed!
Review and Meditation: As mentioned already, on all of the main occasions of His life and ministry Christos is connected to “the Lord Jesus. Identify each occasion as you read the following passages of Scripture: Matt. 1:16-18; Luke 2:11; Mar. 12:35; Luke 22:67; 23:2, 23:35; 24:25-26.
Its Hebrew equivalent in the OT is mēsiah (Messiah), a reference to the ceremonial holy oil anointing of a person for an office as in the case of David’s anointing as king in 2 Sam.2:7. Aaron’s priestly anointing as described in Psalm 133 is another use of this word.
The word emerges, however with additional power and influence in the NT. It’s particularly noteworthy that on all of the main occasions of His life and ministry Christos is connected to “the Lord Jesus.” This stands out most when Jesus questions His disciples about His recognized identity: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt.16:13-16 ESV.
Notice how Peter’s answer hits the nail on the head prompting Jesus’ remarkable claim proving His deity, ‘And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”. Matt. 16:17 ESV.
What is most important is the definite article “the” before Christ (ho Christos), for it reveals that the Lord Jesus is the solitary Anointed One, the solitary Son of God, the solitary Savior. No wonder John could say, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ) John 1:41 ESV.
Knowing without a doubt that we worship the one and only Anointed One is a tremendous blessing indeed!
Review and Meditation: As mentioned already, on all of the main occasions of His life and ministry Christos is connected to “the Lord Jesus. Identify each occasion as you read the following passages of Scripture: Matt. 1:16-18; Luke 2:11; Mar. 12:35; Luke 22:67; 23:2, 23:35; 24:25-26.
Christ - (Greek Christos )
Pronounced - khris-tos’
Pronounced - khris-tos’
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"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Jesus Matt. 4:4
Glorifying the Triune God by creatively declaring the relevancy and practicality of His timeless Word.
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