2 Corinthians 1:22
in 2 Corinthians 1placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
KJV
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 1
Commentary
18 notes on this verseWhat shall we say then? Has not the flesh even now (in this life) the spirit by faith? so that the question still remains to be asked, how it is that the animate (or natural) body can be said to be sown? Surely the flesh has received even here the spirit-but only its "earnest; " whereas of the soul (it has received) not the earnest, but the full possession.
This site's exposition
he which stablisheth us with you in Christ
on 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God: the three verbs of verse 21, establishing and anointing, and in verse 22 sealing, all name God as the actor, not the believer's own effort. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts: arrabon is a commercial term, a down payment that guarantees the full sum still to come, and Paul uses it again at 5:5 for the same gift. The commentators read the verse as foundational to the church's confidence that what God has begun in a believer he intends to finish, the Spirit himself standing as God's own pledge planted in the heart.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
I have learned from your letter, as well as from the statement of the bearer, that you ardently desire a letter from me, in the belief that it will bring you the greatest consolation. I must not refuse or delay this letter, but you will have to see what good you can draw from it. Let the faith and hope and charity, which are diffused through the hearts of the faithful by the Holy Spirit, be your consolation. We receive a little of it in this life as a pledge to make us learn how to long for its fullness. You must not think of yourself as left alone, since in the interior life you have Christ, present in your heart by faith.
A commentator
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 295 · Written before 458.
proposed
God is the source of all good things. He has given us firm faith in Christ. He has anointed us and made us worthy to receive the seal of the Holy Spirit.
To realize that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, and like him all the apostles, and all who after them believe in Father, Son and Holy Spirit, pay attention to the clear words of Paul himself.… "God who also stamped us with his seal and gave us the Spirit as a pledge."
"Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; Who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." Again, from the past He stablisheth the future. For if it is He that establisheth us in Christ; (i.e., who suffereth us not to be shaken from the faith which is in Christ;) and He that anointed us and gave the Spirit in our hearts, how shall He not give us the future things? For if He gave the principles and the foundations, and the root and the fount, (to wit, the true knowledge of Him, the partaking of the Spirit,) how shall He not give the things that come of these: for if for the sake of these those are given, much more will he supply those. And if to such as were enemies he gave these, much more when now made friends will He "freely give" to them those. Wherefore He said not simply "the Spirit," but named "earnest," that from this thou mightest have a good hope of the whole as well. For did He not purpose to give the whole, He would never have chosen to give "the earnest" and to waste it without object or result. And observe Paul's candor. For why need I say, saith he, that the truth of the promises standeth not in us? The fact of your standing unwavering and fixed is not in us, but this too is of God; "for" saith he, "He who stablisheth us is God." It is not we who strengthen you: for even we also need Him that stablisheth. So then let none imagine that the Preaching is hazardous in us. He hath undertaken the whole, He cared for the whole. And what is, "anointed," and "sealed?" Gave the Spirit by Whom He did both these things, making at once prophets and priests and kings, for in old times these three sorts were anointed. But we have now not one of these dignities, but all three preeminently. […]
A commentator
Theophilus of AntiochTheophilus to Autolycus, Book III, Chapter XXX.—Why the Greeks Did Not Mention Our Histories · Written before 185.
proposed
Wherefore such men have necessarily lost the wisdom of God, and have not found the truth. If you please, then, study these things carefully, that you may have a compendium and pledge of the truth.
11 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers1 voice
A commentator
Severian of GabalaPAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH · Written before 425.
proposed
Shepherds brand their sheep so as to distinguish the ones which belong to them from others. This is what Christ has done to us.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Having said above that God will fulfill His promises, he now confirms this. That you and I, your teacher, stand firm in faith in Christ, he says, was given by God, Who also anointed us and sealed us, that is, made us prophets, kings, and …
But the union which is according to glory we do not yet have in reality, but in sure hope, inasmuch as we have a firm hope of attaining to this union. And we have a twofold certainty of hope resulting from the hope of this …
The Puritans and the Awakening5 voices
Who also hath sealed us - Stamping his image on our hearts, thus marking and sealing us as his own property. And given us the earnest of his Spirit - There is a difference between an earnest and a pledge. A pledge is to be restored when the debt is paid; but an earnest is not taken away, but completed.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
The illumination of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, The veracity of God, the mediation of Christ, and the operation of the Spirit, are all engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the seed, and the accomplishment of them shall be to the glory of God (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
Who hath also sealed us,.... "Two" things more are here attributed to God; "first", the sealing of his people.
All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. The reasons of the apostle's thanksgivings, which are these:-- 1. The benefits that he himself and his companions had received from God; for God had comforted them in all their tribulations,
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Who hath also sealed us - Not only deeply impressed His truth and image upon our hearts; but, by the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, attested the truth of our extraordinary unction or calling to the ministry. And given the earnest of the Spirit - Τον αρραβωνα του Πνευματος. From this unction and sealing we have a clear testimony in our souls, the Divine Spirit dwelling constantly in us, of our acceptance with God, and that our ways please him.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
The Holy Spirit is given to the believer now as a first instalment to assure him his full inheritance as a son of God shall be his hereafter (Eph 1:13, 14). "Sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Ro 8:23). The Spirit is the pledge of the fulfilment of "all the promises" (2Co 1:20).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Who hath also sealed us - The word used here (from σφραγίζω sphragizō) means to seal up; to close and make fast with a seal, or signet; as, e. g., books, letters, etc. that they may not be read. It is also used in the sense of setting a mark on anything, or a seal, to denote that it is genuine, authentic, confirmed, or approved, as when a deed, compact, or agreement is sealed. it is thus made sure; and is confirmed or established. Hence, it is applied to persons, as denoting that they are approved, as in Rev 7:3; “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads;” compare Eze 9:4; see the note, Joh 6:27, were it is said of the Saviour, “for him hath God the Father sealed;” compare Joh 3:33. In a similar manner Christians are said to be sealed; to be sealed by the Holy Spirit Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30; that is, the Holy Spirit is given to them to confirm them as belonging to God. He grants them His Spirit. He renews and sanctifies them. He produces in their hearts those feelings, hopes, and desires which are an evidence that they are approved by God; that they are regarded as his adopted children; that their hope is genuine, and that their redemption and salvation are sure - in the same way as a seal makes a will or an agreement sure. God grants to them His Holy Spirit as the certain pledge that they are His, and shall be approved and saved in the last day. In this there is nothing miraculous, or in the nature of direct revelation. […]
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὁ | ho | the [One] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| σφραγισάμενος | sphragisamenos | having sealed | G4972 → | |
| ἡμᾶς | hemas | us | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| δοὺς | dous | having given | G1325 → | 412 times |
| τὸν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀρραβῶνα | arrabona | pledge | G728 → | |
| τοῦ | tou | of the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πνεύματος | pneumatos | Spirit | G4151 → | 378 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ταῖς | tais | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καρδίαις | kardiais | hearts | G2588 → | 156 times |
| ἡμῶν.¶ | hemon | of us. | G3165 → | 1936 times |
ὁthe [One]
hoG3588 →19766 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
σφραγισάμενοςhaving sealed
sphragisamenosG4972 →
ἡμᾶςus
hemasG3165 →1936 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
δοὺςhaving given
dousG1325 →412 times
τὸνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἀρραβῶναpledge
arrabonaG728 →
τοῦof the
touG3588 →19766 times
πνεύματοςSpirit
pneumatosG4151 →378 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ταῖςthe
taisG3588 →19766 times
καρδίαιςhearts
kardiaisG2588 →156 times
ἡμῶν.¶of us.
hemonG3165 →1936 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Ephesians 4:30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
it leads to
- Ephesians 1:13–14
And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not extinguish the Spirit.
- Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.
- Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
- Genesis 6:6
And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
- Ephesians 1:13–14
Through
John 6:27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of…
it leads to
- Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
- Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the…
- John 6:54
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
- Colossians 3:2
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 17 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture, Corinthians; Augustine of Hippo, LETTER 92, To Italica; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 17:32; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 3 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Severian of Gabala, PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH; Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 295; Theophilus of Antioch, Theophilus to Autolycus, Book III, Chapter XXX.—Why the Greeks Did Not Mention Our Histories; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.