2 Corinthians 1:22 - Andrew Wommack Ministries

"Sealing" in the scriptures signified security and protection (Est. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30), ownership (Jer. 32:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:19), authentication of documents or finished transactions (Gen. 38:18; 41:42; Jer. 32:9-10), and also is used figuratively and symbolically (Isa. 8:16; Song 4:12; 8:6; Dan. 9:24; Jn. 6:27; 1 Cor. 9:2; Rev. 5:1-2, 5, 9).

F.F. Bruce, in his commentary of Ephesians, gives us a good insight into Paul's usage here when he states, "An owner seals his property with his signet to mark it as his; if at a later time he comes to claim it and his right to it is questioned, his seal is sufficient evidence and puts an end to such questioning. So, the fact that believers are endowed with the Spirit is the token that they belong in a special sense to God...Other seals, literal or figurative (like circumcision, the seal of the covenant with Abraham), were affixed externally; the seal of the New Covenant is imprinted in the believing heart."

Not only can we look at this sealing as a proof of ownership, but it is also a means of preservation. In the same way that a woman seals fruit in a jar with an airtight seal to make preserves, so our born-again spirit has been sealed with the Holy Spirit to prevent contamination from the flesh (Eph. 1:13).

Note 17 at 2 Cor. 1:22: "Earnest" is a spiritually significant word in the scriptures. It is used three times in the New Testament and always has reference to the Holy Spirit and the believer (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14).

The Greek word "arrhabon" (earnest) literally means "a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest. It is traced back to the Hebrew word 'arabown' (pledge) meaning a pawn given as security" (Strong).

The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, guaranteeing that the full redemption of the purchased possession (the believers) will come and be manifest in Christ.