2 Corinthians 1:22

King James Version (KJV)

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Who hath also sealed us - Not only deeply impressed His truth and image upon our hearts; but, by the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, attested the truth of our extraordinary unction or calling to the ministry.

And given the earnest of the Spirit - Τον αρραβωνα του Πνευματος . From this unction and sealing we have a clear testimony in our souls, the Divine Spirit dwelling constantly in us, of our acceptance with God, and that our ways please him. The αρῥαβων of the apostle is the same as the ערבן erabon of Moses, Genesis 38:17, Genesis 38:18, Genesis 38:20, which we there translate pledge. The word properly signifies an earnest of something promised; a part of the price agreed for between a buyer and seller, by giving and receiving of which the bargain was ratified; or a deposit, which was to be restored when the thing promised was given. From the use of the term in Genesis, which the apostle puts here in Greek letters, we may at once see his meaning above, and in Ephesians 1:14; the Holy Spirit being an earnest in the heart, and an earnest of the promised inheritance means a security given in hand for the fulfillment of all God's promises relative to grace and eternal life. We may learn from this, that eternal life will be given in the great day to all who can produce the arrhabon, or pledge. He who is found then with the earnest of God's Spirit in his heart, shall not only be saved from death, but have that eternal life of which it is the pledge, the earnest, and the evidence. Without this arrhabon there can be no glory. See the whole case of Judah and Tamar, Genesis 38:15; (note), etc., and the notes there.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Who hath also sealed us - The word used here (from σφραγίζω sphragizō) means to seal up; to close and make fast with a seal, or signet; as, e. g., books, letters, etc. that they may not be read. It is also used in the sense of setting a mark on anything, or a seal, to denote that it is genuine, authentic, confirmed, or approved, as when a deed, compact, or agreement is sealed. it is thus made sure; and is confirmed or established. Hence, it is applied to persons, as denoting that they are approved, as in Revelation 7:3; “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads;” compare Ezekiel 9:4; see the note, John 6:27, were it is said of the Saviour, “for him hath God the Father sealed;” compare John 3:33. In a similar manner Christians are said to be sealed; to be sealed by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; that is, the Holy Spirit is given to them to confirm them as belonging to God. He grants them His Spirit. He renews and sanctifies them. He produces in their hearts those feelings, hopes, and desires which are an evidence that they are approved by God; that they are regarded as his adopted children; that their hope is genuine, and that their redemption and salvation are sure - in the same way as a seal makes a will or an agreement sure. God grants to them His Holy Spirit as the certain pledge that they are His, and shall be approved and saved in the last day. In this there is nothing miraculous, or in the nature of direct revelation. It consists of the ordinary operations of the Spirit on the heart, producing repentance, faith, hope, joy, conformity to God, the love of prayer and praise, and the Christian virtues generally; and these things are the evidences that the Holy Spirit has renewed the heart, and that the Christian is sealed for the day of redemption.

And given the earnest of the Spirit - The word used here ( ἀῤῥαβών arrabōnfrom the Hebrew צרבון ‛arabownmeans properly a pledge given to ratify a contract; a part of the price, or purchase money; a first payment; that which confirms the bargain, and which is regarded as a pledge that all the price will be paid. The word occurs in the Septuagint and Hebrew, in Genesis 38:17-18; Genesis 38:20. In the New Testament it occurs only in this place, and in 2 Corinthians 5:5, and Ephesians 1:14, in each place in the same connection as applied to the Holy Spirit, and his influences on the heart. It refers to those influences as a pledge of the future glories which await Christians in heaven. In regard to the “earnest,” or the part of a price which was paid in a contract, it may be remarked:

(1)That it was of the same nature as the full price, being regarded as a part of it;

(2)It was regarded as a pledge or assurance that the full price would be paid. So the “earnest of the Spirit,” denotes that God gives to his people the influences of his Spirit: his operation on the heart as a part or pledge that all the blessings of the covenant of redemption shall be given to them.

And it implies:

(1) That the comforts of the Christian here are of the same nature as they will be in heaven. Heaven will consist of like comforts; of love, and peace, and joy, and purity begun here, and simply expanded there to complete and eternal perfection. The joys of heaven differ only in degree, not in kind, from those of the Christian on earth. That which is begun here is perfected there; and the feelings and views which the Christian has here, if expanded and carried out, would constitute heaven.

(2) these comforts, these influences of the Spirit, are a pledge of heaven. They are the security which God gives us that we shall be saved. If we are brought under the renewing influences of the Spirit here; if we are made meek, and humble, and prayerful by his agency; if we are made to partake of the joys which result from pardoned sin; if we are filled with the hope of heaven, it is all produced by the Holy Spirit, and is a pledge, or earnest of our future inheritance; as the first sheaves of a harvest are a pledge of a harvest; or the first payment under a contract a pledge that all will be payed. God thus gives to his people the assurance that they shall be saved; and by this “pledge” makes their title to eternal life sure.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure from delusion in so important a matter.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

22. Sealed. Gr. sphragiz?, “to mark with a seal,” “to seal,” “to authenticate,” “to confirm.” A seal is used to attest the genuineness of the document to which it is affixed. The “seal” that God places upon men and women acknowledges them as His sons and daughters, as established in Christ and dedicated to His service (v. 21). See on Eze. 9:4; John 6:27; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rev. 7:2, 3; 14:1.

Earnest. Gr. arrab?n, “earnest,” “down payment,” related to the Heb. ‘erabon, “pledge,” as in Gen. 38:17-20. This word was in common use among Canaanite and Phoenician traders. Arrab?n is found frequently in the papyri, for earnest money paid for a cow, for land, for a wife, etc. It is also used of an engagement ring. It constituted a down payment, a pledge that the full sum would be paid as promised. It thus ratified the bargain. The earnest was to be payment of the same kind as that stipulated for the full amount, and was regarded as an integral part of it. In case the transaction was not completed by the purchaser, the earnest money was forfeited to the seller.

Paul here uses the figure of earnest money to illustrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers, as a first installment, an assurance of their full inheritance in the hereafter (see Eph. 1:13, 14; cf. Rom. 8:16). It is the Christian’s privilege to receive the settled conviction of acceptance with God as His adopted child at conversion and to retain it throughout life (see on 1 John 3:1), to accept the gift of eternal life (see on John 3:16), and to experience the transformation of character made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see on Rom. 8:1-4; 12:2; cf. John 16:7-11). But the joy that comes when the will is attuned to God’s will (see on Ps. 40:8), when the heart aspires to the stature of perfection in Christ Jesus (see on Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4:13, 15; 2 Peter 3:18), and when there is an uninterrupted daily walk with the Saviour?this joy is the “earnest” of a greater and eternal joy in the earth made new.

Paul enjoyed such an experience, as did those Corinthian believers who were truly converted (2 Cor. 1:21). Accordingly, the charge that he was guided by selfish motives in the change in his plans (v. 23; cf. vs. 15-17) was altogether invalid. An “earnest” is much more than a pledge. What is given as a pledge differs in kind from that for which it stands as a guarantee. Furthermore, the pledge is returned when the obligation it represents is met. In contrast, an “earnest” is part of the obligation itself. The “earnest of the Spirit” may be considered equivalent to the “firstfruits of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:23), which is a sample of what the harvest at the end of the world will be like.

Earnest money is given when there is to be some delay in completing the transaction. Sons and daughters of God are made heirs to all the blessings of heaven as soon as they enter into covenant relationship with Him (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:3-12; 1 John 3:1, 2); and the “earnest of the Spirit” is given to them in token of that right. In a sense, they already live in heaven (Eph 2:5, 6; Phil. 3:20). True children of God, who have this “earnest of the Spirit,” are in no state of uncertainty as to whether God has accepted them in Christ, and has in readiness for them their eternal inheritance (see on John 3:16; 1 John 3:2; 5:11). But full and complete payment?actual admission to heaven?is deferred in order to provide time for the development of character, so that the children may be fully prepared for heaven. The Christian’s title, or right, to the kingdom of heaven automatically becomes his the moment he experiences justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ; fitness for the kingdom is achieved through a lifetime of appropriating the imparted righteousness of Christ and applying it to the daily problems of the Christian life (DA 300; MYP 35).

As the Holy Spirit imparts grace and power to overcome sin, the Christian experiences an “earnest” of the complete triumph and victory that will be his upon admission to heaven. Fellowship with Christ and with one another here on earth is likewise a foretaste of the fellowship of heavenly beings. Only those who have received the “earnest of the Spirit” can know what it is and what joy it brings (1 Cor. 2:11, 15). A knowledge of spiritual things comes only by experience. To those who lack such spiritual knowledge heaven is more or less unreal.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

22. Sealed. Gr. sphragizÃ…Â, “to mark with a seal,” “to seal,” “to authenticate,” “to confirm.” A seal is used to attest the genuineness of the document to which it is affixed. The “seal” that God places upon men and women acknowledges them as His sons and daughters, as established in Christ and dedicated to His service (v. 21). See on Eze. 9:4; John 6:27; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rev. 7:2, 3; 14:1.

Earnest. Gr. arrabÃ…Ân, “earnest,” “down payment,” related to the Heb. ‘erabon, “pledge,” as in Gen. 38:17-20. This word was in common use among Canaanite and Phoenician traders. ArrabÃ…Ân is found frequently in the papyri, for earnest money paid for a cow, for land, for a wife, etc. It is also used of an engagement ring. It constituted a down payment, a pledge that the full sum would be paid as promised. It thus ratified the bargain. The earnest was to be payment of the same kind as that stipulated for the full amount, and was regarded as an integral part of it. In case the transaction was not completed by the purchaser, the earnest money was forfeited to the seller.

Paul here uses the figure of earnest money to illustrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers, as a first installment, an assurance of their full inheritance in the hereafter (see Eph. 1:13, 14; cf. Rom. 8:16). It is the Christian’s privilege to receive the settled conviction of acceptance with God as His adopted child at conversion and to retain it throughout life (see on 1 John 3:1), to accept the gift of eternal life (see on John 3:16), and to experience the transformation of character made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see on Rom. 8:1-4; 12:2; cf. John 16:7-11). But the joy that comes when the will is attuned to God’s will (see on Ps. 40:8), when the heart aspires to the stature of perfection in Christ Jesus (see on Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4:13, 15; 2 Peter 3:18), and when there is an uninterrupted daily walk with the SaviourÃ¢â‚¬â€this joy is the “earnest” of a greater and eternal joy in the earth made new.

Earnest money is given when there is to be some delay in completing the transaction. Sons and daughters of God are made heirs to all the blessings of heaven as soon as they enter into covenant relationship with Him (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:3-12; 1 John 3:1, 2); and the “earnest of the Spirit” is given to them in token of that right. In a sense, they already live in heaven (Eph 2:5, 6; Phil. 3:20). True children of God, who have this “earnest of the Spirit,” are in no state of uncertainty as to whether God has accepted them in Christ, and has in readiness for them their eternal inheritance (see on John 3:16; 1 John 3:2; 5:11). But full and complete paymentÃ¢â‚¬â€actual admission to heavenÃ¢â‚¬â€is deferred in order to provide time for the development of character, so that the children may be fully prepared for heaven. The Christian’s title, or right, to the kingdom of heaven automatically becomes his the moment he experiences justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ; fitness for the kingdom is achieved through a lifetime of appropriating the imparted righteousness of Christ and applying it to the daily problems of the Christian life (DA 300; MYP 35).

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Ellen G. White
The Ministry of Healing, 37

When God gave His Son to our world, He endowed human beings with imperishable riches—riches compared with which the treasured wealth of men since the world began is nothingness. Christ came to the earth and stood before the children of men with the hoarded love of eternity, and this is the treasure that, through our connection with Him, we are to receive, to reveal, and to impart. MH 37.1

Human effort will be efficient in the work of God just according to the consecrated devotion of the worker—by revealing the power of the grace of Christ to transform the life. We are to be distinguished from the world because God has placed His seal upon us, because He manifests in us His own character of love. Our Redeemer covers us with His righteousness. MH 37.2

In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess worldly wealth, learning, or eloquence. He asks, “Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?” MH 37.3

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Cross References

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