Ephesians 1:14

“which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of His glory”

“Which is”: The Holy Spirit. “An earnest”:. pledge, or part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest. “Was. regular feature of the Greek business world. It was. part of the purchase price of anything, paid in advance as. guarantee that the rest would in due time be paid” (Barclay p. 87). “The arrabon guarantees that. person is in earnest about his intentions...Also interesting is the fact that arrabon is the word in modern Greek for an engagement ring” (Boles p. 211). “Of our inheritance”: The Spirit is. down payment of our inheritance and demonstrates that God is serious about giving Christians eternal life. “Unto the redemption of God's own possession”: “Until the day when God completes the redemption of what he has paid for as His own” (Phi). God's own possession is Christians (1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19).

The sealing of the Spirit does not remove free will (Ephesians 4:30). Even Christians who had the spiritual gifts of the Spirit, found themselves believing doctrinal error (Galatians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 15:12) and being in danger of losing their salvation (Galatians 5:4). Nothing in these two verses demands. "personal” supernatural indwelling of the Spirit". Caldwell makes the following comments: “The Holy Spirit articulates the promises of God and thus becomes the assurance of salvation to the believer until the time he actually receives all rewards from God. Too many are looking for something to establish that their salvation is sure. Too many expect that God will send the Holy Spirit into them in some mysterious manner and thereby assure them that all is certain. God has spoken His promises through His Spirit and that is enough. When the Holy Spirit speaks God's promises, He becomes our down payment on salvation. The man who does not accept them as surety does not have true saving faith” (pp. 45-46). Hence, the Spirit "seals" us in Christ by: Instructing us and enabling us to continue in this relationship (Colossians 1:23). Giving us an objective standard by which to measure ourselves, so we know whether we are in the faith or not (2 Corinthians 13:5). Declaring us true children of God, when our life comes into conformity with God's revealed will (Romans 8:16). The very existence of the New Testament proves that God is serious about saving those who believe in Christ.

“Unto the praise of His glory”: “And so manifest God's glory” (Knox). “All this is designed to magnify God. Why should man resent God's control? Why should man exalt his own will above the will of God when our God is so great and loving and kind?” (Caldwell p. 47). Christians need to praise God for His truth revealed through the Spirit, because without it, we would be lost (Jeremiah 2:23). Everyday we should thank God for the Bible.