Eph 1:13 In whom also ye haue trusted, after that ye heard the worde of trueth, euen the Gospel of your saluation, wherein also after that ye beleeued, ye were sealed with the holy Spirite of promes, ...
Having heard.....
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle
Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative)
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine
Having believed.......
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle
Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative)
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine
you were sealed....
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Passive
Mood: Indicative
Person: second [you+]
Number: Plural
13.In whom ye also. He associates the Ephesians with himself, and with the rest of those who were the first fruits; for he says that they, in like manner, trusted in Christ. His object is, to shew that both had the same faith; and therefore we must supply the word trusted from the twelfth verse. He afterwards states that they were brought to that hope by the preaching of the gospel.
Two epithets are here applied to the gospel, — the word of truth, and the gospel of your salvation. Both deserve our careful attention. Nothing is more earnestly attempted by Satan than to lead us either to doubt or to despise the gospel.
Paul therefore furnishes us with two shields, by which we may repel both temptations. In opposition to every doubt, let us learn to bring forward this testimony, that the gospel is not only certain truth, which cannot deceive, but is, by way of eminence, (κατ ᾿ ἐξοχὴν,) the word of truth, as if, strictly speaking, there were no truth but itself. If the temptation be to contempt or dislike of the gospel, let us remember that its power and efficacy have been manifested in bringing to us salvation. The apostle had formerly declared that
“it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth,” (Rom_1:16;)
but here he expresses more, for he reminds the Ephesians that, having been made partakers of salvation, they had learned this by their own experience.
Unhappy they who weary themselves, as the world generally does, in wandering through many winding paths, neglecting the gospel, and pleasing themselves with wild romances, —
“ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,”
(2Ti_3:7)
or to find life!
But happy they who have embraced the gospel, and whose attachment to it is steadfast; for this, beyond all doubt, is truth and life.
In whom also, after that ye believed. Having maintained that the gospel is certain, he now comes to the proof. And what higher surety can be found than the Holy Spirit? “Having denominated the gospel the word of truth, I will not prove it by the authority of men; for you have the testimony of the Spirit of God himself, who seals the truth of it in your hearts.”
This elegant comparison is taken from Seals, which among men have the effect of removing doubt. Seals give validity both to charters and to testaments; anciently, they were the principal means by which the writer of a letter could be known; and, in short, a seal distinguishes what is true and certain, from what is false and spurious. This office the apostle ascribes to the Holy Spirit, not only here, but in another part of this Epistle, (Eph_4:30,) and in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, (2Co_1:22.)
Our minds never become so firmly established in the truth of God as to resist all the temptations of Satan, until we have been confirmed in it by the Holy Spirit. The true conviction which believers have of the word of God, of their own salvation, and of religion in general, does not spring from the judgment of the flesh, or from human and philosophical arguments, but from the sealing of the Spirit, who imparts to their consciences such certainty as to remove all doubt.
The foundation of faith would be frail and unsteady, if it rested on human wisdom; and therefore, as preaching is the instrument of faith, so the Holy Spirit makes preaching efficacious.
But is it not the faith itself which is here said to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? If so, faith goes before the sealing.
I answer, there are two operations of the Spirit in faith, corresponding to the two parts of which faith consists, as it enlightens, and as it establishes the mind. The commencement of faith is knowledge: the completion of it is a firm and steady conviction, which admits of no opposing doubt. Both, I have said, are the work of the Spirit. No wonder, then, if Paul should declare that the Ephesians, who received by faith the truth of the gospel, were confirmed in that faith by the seal of the Holy Spirit.
With that Holy Spirit of promise. This title is derived from the effect produced; for to him we owe it that the promise of salvation is not made to us in vain. As God promises in his word, “that he will be to us a Father,” (2Co_6:18,) so he gives to us the evidence of having adopted us by the Holy Spirit.
ye also: Eph_2:11, Eph_2:12, Col_1:21-23, 1Pe_2:10
after that ye heard: Eph_4:21, Joh_1:17, Rom_6:17, Rom_10:14-17, Col_1:4-6, Col_1:23, 1Th_2:13
the word: Psa_119:43, 2Co_6:7, 2Ti_2:15, Jam_1:18
the gospel: Mar_16:15, Mar_16:16, Act_13:26, Rom_1:16, 2Ti_3:15, Tit_2:11, Heb_2:3
ye we:re Eph_4:30, Joh_6:27, Rom_4:11, 2Co_1:22, 2Ti_2:19, Rev_7:2
holy: Joe_2:28, Luk_11:13, Luk_24:49, Joh_14:16, Joh_14:17, Joh_14:26, Joh_15:26, Joh_16:7-15, Act_1:4, Act_2:16-22, Act_2:33, Gal_3:14
Reciprocal: Exo_28:11 - engravings of a signet 2Ch_16:7 - Because Psa_86:2 - trusteth Psa_125:1 - that trust Pro_16:20 - whoso Son_2:12 - of the turtle Son_4:12 - sealed Son_8:5 - leaning Jer_32:10 - and sealed Eze_36:27 - I will Dan_3:28 - that trusted Zep_3:12 - and Mat_12:21 - General Luk_15:22 - a ring Joh_4:14 - shall be Joh_5:23 - all men Joh_7:39 - this spake Act_9:31 - and in Rom_5:5 - shed Rom_8:9 - if so be Rom_8:16 - Spirit Rom_15:12 - in him 1Co_15:19 - hope 2Co_5:5 - the earnest Gal_2:5 - that Gal_3:2 - Received Gal_4:6 - God Eph_1:12 - who Phi_1:27 - the faith Phi_2:1 - if any fellowship Phi_2:19 - But Col_1:5 - the word 2Ti_1:12 - believed Jam_1:21 - which 1Pe_1:8 - full 1Pe_1:21 - your
2) "After that ye heard the word of truth" (akousantes ton logon tes aletheias) "Hearing (while hearing) the word' of the truth." This is what Cornelius and his household did, Act_10:43-46; Act_11:21. Believing or trusting in the Lord is evidenced in one by a voluntary turning to worship and service toward Him, Act_9:5-9.
3) "The gospel of your salvation" (to evangelion tes soterias humon) "The gospel of your salvation or deliverance." The salvation of the Ephesians came through Paul's preaching and their acceptance of "repentance toward God," and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, Act_20:20-21; Act_20:26-31.
4) "In whom also after that ye believed" (en ho kai pisteusantes) "in whom also (when) ye believed," or having fully believed. The Holy Spirit quickens every believer to life eternal and seals the stamp of divine ownership upon him to eternal life, Joh_6:63; Joh_10:27-29; 1Jn_5:13.
5) "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (esphragisthete to pneumati tes epangelias to hagio) "With the Holy Spirit of promise." This seal is heaven's stamp of eternal ownership of the sealed property, 2Ti_2:19; Eph_4:30. If salvation could ever be lost, it would have to be after the resurrection of the body of the believer; for until the redemption of the body (the purchased (paid for) possession of every believer), one is sealed. See also Rom_8:23.
Garner
Are we sealed with the Holy Spirit?
Having heard.....
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle
Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative)
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine
Having believed.......
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle
Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative)
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine
you were sealed....
Part of Speech: Verb
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Passive
Mood: Indicative
Person: second [you+]
Number: Plural
13.In whom ye also. He associates the Ephesians with himself, and with the rest of those who were the first fruits; for he says that they, in like manner, trusted in Christ. His object is, to shew that both had the same faith; and therefore we must supply the word trusted from the twelfth verse. He afterwards states that they were brought to that hope by the preaching of the gospel.
Two epithets are here applied to the gospel, — the word of truth, and the gospel of your salvation. Both deserve our careful attention. Nothing is more earnestly attempted by Satan than to lead us either to doubt or to despise the gospel.
Paul therefore furnishes us with two shields, by which we may repel both temptations. In opposition to every doubt, let us learn to bring forward this testimony, that the gospel is not only certain truth, which cannot deceive, but is, by way of eminence, (κατ ᾿ ἐξοχὴν,) the word of truth, as if, strictly speaking, there were no truth but itself. If the temptation be to contempt or dislike of the gospel, let us remember that its power and efficacy have been manifested in bringing to us salvation. The apostle had formerly declared that
“it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth,” (Rom_1:16;)
but here he expresses more, for he reminds the Ephesians that, having been made partakers of salvation, they had learned this by their own experience.
Unhappy they who weary themselves, as the world generally does, in wandering through many winding paths, neglecting the gospel, and pleasing themselves with wild romances, —
“ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,”
(2Ti_3:7)
or to find life!
But happy they who have embraced the gospel, and whose attachment to it is steadfast; for this, beyond all doubt, is truth and life.
In whom also, after that ye believed. Having maintained that the gospel is certain, he now comes to the proof. And what higher surety can be found than the Holy Spirit? “Having denominated the gospel the word of truth, I will not prove it by the authority of men; for you have the testimony of the Spirit of God himself, who seals the truth of it in your hearts.”
This elegant comparison is taken from Seals, which among men have the effect of removing doubt. Seals give validity both to charters and to testaments; anciently, they were the principal means by which the writer of a letter could be known; and, in short, a seal distinguishes what is true and certain, from what is false and spurious. This office the apostle ascribes to the Holy Spirit, not only here, but in another part of this Epistle, (Eph_4:30,) and in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, (2Co_1:22.)
Our minds never become so firmly established in the truth of God as to resist all the temptations of Satan, until we have been confirmed in it by the Holy Spirit. The true conviction which believers have of the word of God, of their own salvation, and of religion in general, does not spring from the judgment of the flesh, or from human and philosophical arguments, but from the sealing of the Spirit, who imparts to their consciences such certainty as to remove all doubt.
The foundation of faith would be frail and unsteady, if it rested on human wisdom; and therefore, as preaching is the instrument of faith, so the Holy Spirit makes preaching efficacious.
But is it not the faith itself which is here said to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? If so, faith goes before the sealing.
I answer, there are two operations of the Spirit in faith, corresponding to the two parts of which faith consists, as it enlightens, and as it establishes the mind. The commencement of faith is knowledge: the completion of it is a firm and steady conviction, which admits of no opposing doubt. Both, I have said, are the work of the Spirit. No wonder, then, if Paul should declare that the Ephesians, who received by faith the truth of the gospel, were confirmed in that faith by the seal of the Holy Spirit.
With that Holy Spirit of promise. This title is derived from the effect produced; for to him we owe it that the promise of salvation is not made to us in vain. As God promises in his word, “that he will be to us a Father,” (2Co_6:18,) so he gives to us the evidence of having adopted us by the Holy Spirit.
ye also: Eph_2:11, Eph_2:12, Col_1:21-23, 1Pe_2:10
after that ye heard: Eph_4:21, Joh_1:17, Rom_6:17, Rom_10:14-17, Col_1:4-6, Col_1:23, 1Th_2:13
the word: Psa_119:43, 2Co_6:7, 2Ti_2:15, Jam_1:18
the gospel: Mar_16:15, Mar_16:16, Act_13:26, Rom_1:16, 2Ti_3:15, Tit_2:11, Heb_2:3
ye we:re Eph_4:30, Joh_6:27, Rom_4:11, 2Co_1:22, 2Ti_2:19, Rev_7:2
holy: Joe_2:28, Luk_11:13, Luk_24:49, Joh_14:16, Joh_14:17, Joh_14:26, Joh_15:26, Joh_16:7-15, Act_1:4, Act_2:16-22, Act_2:33, Gal_3:14
Reciprocal: Exo_28:11 - engravings of a signet 2Ch_16:7 - Because Psa_86:2 - trusteth Psa_125:1 - that trust Pro_16:20 - whoso Son_2:12 - of the turtle Son_4:12 - sealed Son_8:5 - leaning Jer_32:10 - and sealed Eze_36:27 - I will Dan_3:28 - that trusted Zep_3:12 - and Mat_12:21 - General Luk_15:22 - a ring Joh_4:14 - shall be Joh_5:23 - all men Joh_7:39 - this spake Act_9:31 - and in Rom_5:5 - shed Rom_8:9 - if so be Rom_8:16 - Spirit Rom_15:12 - in him 1Co_15:19 - hope 2Co_5:5 - the earnest Gal_2:5 - that Gal_3:2 - Received Gal_4:6 - God Eph_1:12 - who Phi_1:27 - the faith Phi_2:1 - if any fellowship Phi_2:19 - But Col_1:5 - the word 2Ti_1:12 - believed Jam_1:21 - which 1Pe_1:8 - full 1Pe_1:21 - your
2) "After that ye heard the word of truth" (akousantes ton logon tes aletheias) "Hearing (while hearing) the word' of the truth." This is what Cornelius and his household did, Act_10:43-46; Act_11:21. Believing or trusting in the Lord is evidenced in one by a voluntary turning to worship and service toward Him, Act_9:5-9.
3) "The gospel of your salvation" (to evangelion tes soterias humon) "The gospel of your salvation or deliverance." The salvation of the Ephesians came through Paul's preaching and their acceptance of "repentance toward God," and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, Act_20:20-21; Act_20:26-31.
4) "In whom also after that ye believed" (en ho kai pisteusantes) "in whom also (when) ye believed," or having fully believed. The Holy Spirit quickens every believer to life eternal and seals the stamp of divine ownership upon him to eternal life, Joh_6:63; Joh_10:27-29; 1Jn_5:13.
5) "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (esphragisthete to pneumati tes epangelias to hagio) "With the Holy Spirit of promise." This seal is heaven's stamp of eternal ownership of the sealed property, 2Ti_2:19; Eph_4:30. If salvation could ever be lost, it would have to be after the resurrection of the body of the believer; for until the redemption of the body (the purchased (paid for) possession of every believer), one is sealed. See also Rom_8:23.
Garner
Are we sealed with the Holy Spirit?
