The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The Spirit's Sealing - another look

hdbdan,

Interesting comments from some noted individuals but unfortunately, all failed to show any solid exegetical rendering of the verse (13) and in its immediate context (14). The Greek is very telling here and immediately disputes many of the views espoused by several of the quotes.

1. The Greek word for "sealed" is "esphragisthate" which is a 2 person plural aorist indicate passive verb form. What all that means is that the action was done by someone/thing other than the recipient and the action was singular, i.e., it was not an ongoing action. Thus, God (the Giver) bestowed the Holy Spirit to the one who believed and when he believed... NOT after some undetermined time thereafter, nor over a period of time, nor at various times thereafter, but again and rather instantaneously and immediately at the time faith was exercised.

2. The 'near context', i.e., verse 14 helps to clarify and define what this word "sealed" means. Eisogesis is an unwarranted practice where hermeneutics is involved. We should always let the passage speak for itself and not impose our preconceived ideas upon it. So, what does v. 14 tell us?

"which [Who] is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory."

Thus, the Holy Spirit himself is who believers were sealed, with the intent that they will infallibly receive the full measure of all that Christ has merited for them and God has promised to them. The Spirit here is to be understood as the "Surety" of both the inheritance of salvation and as an "Evidentiary" that God is the owner of them. The passage is not speaking about any idea of 'empowerment', 'experimentalism', etc. This is forensic language, the legalize of the courtroom.

3. As to the definitional aspect of this word "sealed", A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, defines "sphragizo", as found in Eph 1:13, on p. 804 A [2b] as:

There are other passages which speak of the enduing with power, etc., e.g., 2Cor 1:22, etc., but that is another matter which is NOT being addressed in Eph 1:13.

4. Lastly, there are two commentators who I believe are faithful to the text. Both are notable in their knowledge of the NT, the Greek language and for their sound exegetical skills, among other virtues.
- William Hendriksen NT Commentary - Ephesians, pp. 91-93.
- R.C.H. Lenski The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians, pp. 381-387.

As you can see, both references are too lengthy to quote here. However, I will provide a brief but succinct remark from Lenski (p. 382):