2 Corinthians 1:22 - Exposition

Who hath also sealed us . We cannot be deconsecrated, disanointed. Still less can the confirming seal be broken. He continues to dwell on the conception of the unchangeableness of God and of the gospel into which he had been incidentally led by the charge of "lightness." The earnest of the Spirit. The promises which we have received are not mere promises, they are already so far fulfilled to us and in us as to guarantee hereafter their plenary fruition. Just as in money bargains "earnest money," "money on account," is given, in pledge that the whole will be ultimately discharged, so we have "the earnest of the Spirit" ( 2 Corinthians 5:5 ), "the firstfruits of the Spirit" ( Romans 8:23 ), which are to us "the earnest" or pledge money that we shall hereafter enter upon the purchased possession ( Ephesians 1:13 , Ephesians 1:14 ). We now see the meaning of the "and." It involves a climax—the promise is much; the unction more; the seal a still further security ( Ephesians 4:30 ; 2 Timothy 2:19 ); but beyond all this we have already a part payment in the indwelling of the Present of God ( Romans 5:5 ; Romans 8:9 ; Galatians 4:6 ). The word arrabon, rendered "earnest," has an interesting history. It is very ancient, for it is found ( נוֹברָעַ ) in Genesis 38:17 , Genesis 38:18 , and comes from a root meaning "to pledge." It seems to be a Phoenician word, which had been introduced into various languages by the universality of Phoenician commerce. In classical Latin it is shortened into arrha, and it still exists in Italian as aura, in French as arrhes . The equivalent Hebrew figure is "firstfruits" ( Romans 8:23 ).