Note 22 at Eph. 1:13: The word "gospel" literally means "good news." News is not something that has yet to happen. News is something that has already taken place. Salvation is news. Christ paid everyone's debt thousands of years ago. There is nothing that has to happen on God's part. That's the good news. All we have to do is believe and receive what God has already provided.

Note 23 at Eph. 1:13: The Greek word SPHRAGIZO which was translated "sealed" here means "to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation" (Strong). The meaning clearly relates to the Holy Spirit protecting our salvation (see note 16 at 2 Cor. 1:22, p. 981).

This verse requires two actions that must occur before the Spirit's sealing can take place: (1) the gospel must be heard-"And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14); (2) they must believe and trust the message of the gospel, that is, Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10).

At salvation we receive a brand new spirit (see note 9 at 2 Cor. 5:17, p. 1005). It is free from sin and totally pure. Then we are immediately sealed by the Holy Spirit (this verse). That's like vacuum packing or canning food for the purpose of preservation. A barrier is formed to keep sin out and retain the purity of our born-again spirit. When a Christian sins, it is in the soulish and physical realm. The born-again spirit (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) doesn't participate. It cannot sin (1 Jn. 3:9).