Daily Verse Daily Verse by Faithlife | Ephesians 1:13-14
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sphragis (σφραγίς, 4973) denotes (a) “a seal” or “signet,” Rev. 7:2, “the seal of the living God,” an emblem of ownership and security, here combined with that of destination (as in Ezek. 9:4), the persons to be “sealed” being secured from destruction and marked for reward; (b) “the impression” of a “seal” or signet, (1) literal, a “seal” on a book or roll, combining with the ideas of security and destination those of secrecy and postponement of disclosures, Rev. 5:1, 2, 5, 9; 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1; (2) metaphorical, Rom. 4:11, said of “circumcision,” as an authentication of the righteousness of Abraham’s faith, and an external attestation of the covenant made with him by God; the rabbis called circumcision “the seal of Abraham”; in 1 Cor. 9:2, of converts as a “seal” or authentication of Paul’s apostleship; in 2 Tim. 2:19, “the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His,” rv, indicating ownership, authentication, security and destination, “and, Let every one that nameth the Name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness,” indicating a ratification on the part of the believer of the determining counsel of God concerning him; Rev. 9:4 distinguishes those who will be found without the “seal” of God on their foreheads [see (a) above and B, No. 1].¶
Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 553). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.
13. In whom ye also—Ye Gentiles. Supply as English Version, “trusted,” from Eph 1:12; or “are.” The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Ac 13:46).
the word of truth—the instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth (Jn 17:17; 2 Ti 2:15; Jam 1:18). Compare Col 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with “hope.” Also Eph 4:21.
sealed—as God’s confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal (Ac 19:1–6; Ro 8:16, 23; 1 Jn 3:24). see on 2 Co 1:22; A seal impressed on a document gives undoubted validity to the contract in it (Jn 3:33; 6:27; compare 2 Co 3:3). So the sense of “the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost” (Ro 5:5), and the sense of adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration (Ro 8:15, 16), assure believers of God’s good will to them. The Spirit, like a seal, impresses on the soul at regeneration the image of our Father. The “sealing” by the Holy Spirit is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs (Eph 1:11), is the Spirit’s present testimony, the “earnest of the (coming) inheritance” (Ro 8:16–18).
that Holy Spirit of promise—rather, as the Greek, “The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit”: The Spirit promised both in the Old and New Testaments (Joe 2:28; Zec 12:10; Jn 7:38, 39). “The word” promised the Holy Spirit. Those who “believed the word of truth” were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.
14. earnest—the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow (Ro 8:23; 2 Co 1:22).
until—rather, “Unto the redemption,” &c.; joined thus, “ye were sealed (Eph 1:13) unto,” that is, for the purpose of and against, the accomplishment of “the redemption,” namely, not the redemption in its first stage, made by the blood of Christ, which secures our title, but, in its final completion, when the actual possession shall be ours, the full “redemption of the body” (Ro 8:23), as well as of the soul, from every infirmity (Eph 4:30). The deliverance of the creature (the body, and the whole visible creation) from the bondage of corruption, and from the usurping prince of this world, into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Ro 8:21–23; 2 Pe 3:13).
of the purchased possession—God’s people purchased (“acquired,” Greek) as His peculiar (Greek) possession by the blood of Christ (Ac 20:28). We value highly that which we pay a high price for; so God, His Church (Eph 5:25, 26; 1 Pe 1:18; 2:9; “my special treasure,” Mal 3:17, Margin).
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 343). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.