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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 1:15–24. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose of coming to them at Corinth. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this handle to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. Now, for his justification,
I.He avers the sincerity of his intention (Co2 1:15-17), and he does this in confidence of their good opinion of him, and that they would believe him, when he assured them he was minded, or did really intend, to come to them, and that with the design, not that he might receive, but that they might receive a second benefit, that is, a further advantage by his ministry. He tells them that he had not herein used lightness (Co2 1:17), that, as he aimed not at any secular advantage to himself (for his purpose was not according to the flesh, that is, with carnal views and aims), so it was not a rash and inconsiderate resolution that he had taken up, for he had laid his measures thus of passing by them to Macedonia, and coming again to them from Macedonia in his way to Judea (Co2 1:16), and therefore they might conclude that it was for some weighty reasons that he had altered his purpose; and that with him there was not yea yea, and nay nay, Co2 1:17. He was not to be accused of levity and inconstancy, nor a contradiction between his words and intentions. Note, Good men should be careful to preserve the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve but upon mature deliberation, and they will not change their resolves but for weighty reasons.
II.He would not have the Corinthians to infer that his gospel was false or uncertain, nor that it was contradictory in itself, nor unto truth, Co2 1:18, Co2 1:19. For if it had been so, that he had been fickle in his purposes, or even false in the promises he made of coming to them (which he was not justly to be accused of, and so some understand his expression, Co2 1:18, Our word towards you was not yea and nay), yet it would not follow that the gospel preached not only by him, but also by others in full agreement with him, was either false or doubtful. For God is true, and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is true. The true God, and eternal life. Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached, is not yea and nay, but in him was yea (Co2 1:19), nothing but infallible truth. And the promises of God in Christ are not yea and nay, but yea and amen, Co2 1:20. There is an inviolable constancy and unquestionable sincerity and certainty in all the parts of the gospel of Christ. If in the promises that the ministers of the gospel make as common men, and about their own affairs, they see cause sometimes to vary from them, yet the promises of the gospel covenant, which they preach, stand firm and inviolable. Bad men are false; good men are fickle; but God is true, neither fickle nor false. The apostle, having mentioned the stability of the divine promises, makes a digression to illustrate this great and sweet truth, that all the promises of God are yea and amen. For,
1.They are the promises of the God of truth (Co2 1:20), of him that cannot lie, whose truth as well as mercy endureth for ever.
2.They are made in Christ Jesus (Co2 1:20), the Amen, the true and faithful witness; he hath purchased and ratified the covenant of promises, and is the surety of the covenant, Heb 7:22.
3.They are confirmed by the Holy Spirit. He does establish Christians in the faith of the gospel; he has anointed them with his sanctifying grace, which in scripture is often compared to oil; he has sealed them, for their security and confirmation; and he is given as an earnest in their hearts, Co2 1:21, Co2 1:22. An earnest secures the promise, and is part of the payment. 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 (Co2 1:20) for the glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing truth and faithfulness.
III.The apostle gives a good reason why he did not come to Corinth, as was expected, Co2 1:23.
It was that he might spare them. They ought therefore to own his kindness and tenderness. He knew there were things amiss among them, and such as deserved censure, but was desirous to show tenderness. He assures them that this is the true reason, after this very solemn manner: I call God for a record upon my soul - a way of speaking not justifiable where used in trivial matters; but this was very justifiable in the apostle, for his necessary vindication, and for the credit and usefulness of his ministry, which was struck at by his opposers. He adds, to prevent mistakes, that he did not pretend to have any dominion over their faith, Co2 1:24. Christ only is the Lord of our faith; he is the author and finisher of our faith, Heb 12:2. He reveals to us what we must believe. Paul, and Apollos, and the rest of the apostles, were but ministers by whom they believed (Co1 3:5), and so the helpers of their joy, even the joy of faith. For by faith we stand firmly, and live safely and comfortably. Our strength and ability are owing to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
7 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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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
What 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.
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. For we are both to enjoy a kingdom and are made priests by offering our bodies for a sacrifice, (for, saith he, "present your members a living sacrifice unto God;) and withal we are constituted prophets too: for what things "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," these have been revealed unto us.
Shepherds brand their sheep so as to distinguish the ones which belong to them from others. This is what Christ has done to us.
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.
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.
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Summary
2 Corinthians 1:22 profoundly articulates God's divine work in believers, highlighting His active role in securing their relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. This verse presents two powerful metaphors—sealing and giving an earnest—which together convey the believer's assured identity, divine ownership, and the guaranteed fulfillment of God's promises, all established by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within their innermost being.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is nestled within Paul's opening defense and explanation of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church. Following a period of intense suffering and affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-11), Paul reassures the Corinthians of God's unwavering faithfulness, contrasting it with any perceived vacillation in his own plans. He emphasizes that God, not Paul, is the ultimate source of their spiritual stability and anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21). The preceding verse, 2 Corinthians 1:20, declares that all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ, setting the stage for the Spirit's role as the divine guarantee of these promises. Thus, 2 Corinthians 1:22 serves as an explanation of how God provides tangible assurance for these divine commitments.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of "sealing" and "earnest" draws heavily from ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultural practices. A "seal" (Greek: sphragis) was a crucial instrument used for various purposes: to authenticate documents, to mark ownership of property or goods, to secure a container, or to protect valuables from tampering. It signified finality, authority, and security. Similarly, an "earnest" (Greek: arrhabōn) was a common commercial and legal term referring to a down payment or a first installment given as a legally binding pledge that guaranteed the full payment or completion of a transaction later. This non-refundable deposit secured the deal and provided assurance to the recipient. Paul employs these familiar concepts to illustrate the profound spiritual realities of God's commitment to believers, making the abstract concept of divine assurance tangible and relatable to his audience.
Key Themes
2 Corinthians 1:22 contributes significantly to several major theological themes within 2 Corinthians and the broader Pauline corpus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Initiative, emphasizing that God is the one who "sealed us" and "given the earnest," highlighting His active role in salvation. Secondly, it powerfully conveys the theme of Assurance of Salvation, providing a firm foundation for believers' confidence in their present standing and future inheritance. The Spirit's presence is not merely a feeling but a divine guarantee. Thirdly, it highlights the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, portraying Him not just as a power or influence, but as a divine person who indwells believers and serves as God's tangible pledge. This aligns with themes seen in Ephesians 1:13-14, where the Spirit is explicitly called "the earnest of our inheritance." Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of God's Unwavering Faithfulness, contrasting human unreliability with God's steadfastness, a central message Paul conveys to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 1.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Data, sphragízō means "to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest." In this context, it signifies God's act of marking believers as His own, authenticating their identity in Christ, and securing them against loss or defilement. It implies divine ownership, protection, and the validation of their status as His children.
Data, arrhabṓn is "a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest." This term, borrowed from commercial language, powerfully conveys the idea of a down payment or a first installment that legally binds the giver to complete the full transaction. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is God's irrevocable deposit in the believer's heart, guaranteeing the full inheritance and future glory that awaits them.
Verse Breakdown
"Who hath also sealed us"
This clause identifies God as the active agent ("Who") in the spiritual work of salvation. The act of "sealing" signifies God's definitive claim and authentication of believers. Just as a seal on a document or property denotes ownership, authenticity, and security, God places His divine mark upon His people. This seal is not merely a symbolic gesture but a powerful act of divine protection and preservation, indicating that believers are set apart for God and are eternally secure in His possession.
"and given the earnest of the Spirit"
This phrase introduces the second profound metaphor. God has not only marked believers as His own but has also provided a tangible, living guarantee of His future promises. The "earnest" is the Holy Spirit Himself, bestowed upon believers as a divine down payment. This means the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a foretaste of the full inheritance of glory, resurrection, and eternal life that awaits believers. It is God's irrevocable pledge, assuring them that He will complete the work He has begun and fulfill every promise He has made.
"in our hearts"
This final phrase specifies the location and nature of this divine work. The "hearts" (Greek: kardía) refers not merely to the physical organ, but to the innermost being of a person—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and spiritual life. The sealing and the giving of the earnest are not external, superficial acts, but an internal, personal, and transformative reality. The Holy Spirit dwells within the very core of the believer's being, providing an intimate, experiential witness and assurance of their relationship with God and the certainty of His promises.
Literary Devices
Paul employs two powerful Metaphors in this verse: "sealed" and "earnest." The act of being "sealed" is a metaphor for divine ownership, authentication, and security, drawing on the ancient practice of using a signet to mark property or validate documents. The "earnest" is a metaphor for a down payment or guarantee, rooted in commercial transactions, signifying God's irrevocable pledge of future blessings. Both metaphors vividly communicate the certainty and permanence of God's commitment to believers. Additionally, the phrase "in our hearts" utilizes Symbolism, where the "heart" represents the deepest, most authentic part of a person's being, emphasizing the internal and personal nature of the Holy Spirit's indwelling work and the assurance it brings.
Theological and Thematic Connections
2 Corinthians 1:22 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the doctrine of assurance and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. It underscores the Trinitarian nature of salvation, where the Father initiates, the Son secures the promises, and the Spirit applies and guarantees them. The sealing signifies God's sovereign election and preservation of His people, marking them as His own and guaranteeing their eternal security. The earnest highlights the Spirit's present work as a foretaste of future glory, binding God to His promises and providing an internal witness of adoption. This divine deposit of the Spirit ensures that the salvation begun in Christ will be brought to completion, providing believers with an unshakable confidence in their standing before God and their future inheritance.
Reflection and Application
The profound truths of 2 Corinthians 1:22 offer immense comfort, stability, and purpose for the modern believer. To know that God Himself has "sealed" us means we are unequivocally His, marked by His divine ownership and protected by His power. This truth liberates us from the anxiety of whether we are "good enough" or whether our salvation is secure, shifting our focus from our fluctuating performance to God's unchanging faithfulness. The "earnest of the Spirit" means that the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a living, tangible pledge of our future inheritance—a foretaste of glory that empowers us for present living. This should cultivate a deep sense of peace, resilience in trials, and a confident expectation of God's ultimate plan for us. It calls us to live lives that reflect the divine mark we bear, trusting in God's completed work and walking in the power of the Spirit who guarantees our future.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to be "sealed" by God?
To be "sealed" by God, as described in 2 Corinthians 1:22, means that God has placed His divine mark upon believers through the Holy Spirit. This act signifies several profound truths: Ownership (you belong to God), Authentication (your faith and identity in Christ are genuine), Security (you are protected and preserved by God), and Finality (the work God has begun in you is definitive and will be completed). It's like a king's signet ring on an important document, signifying its authority and protection. This divine sealing assures believers that their salvation is secure and that they are eternally set apart for God.
Is the "earnest of the Spirit" the same as eternal security?
Yes, the "earnest of the Spirit" is a foundational concept that strongly supports the doctrine of eternal security. The Greek word arrhabōn (earnest) refers to a down payment that legally binds the payer to complete the full transaction. When God gives the Holy Spirit as an "earnest" in our hearts, it means He has made an irrevocable pledge. The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is God's guarantee that He will complete the work of salvation and bring believers to their full inheritance in glory. This is not contingent on human merit or performance but on God's faithfulness and His unchangeable promises, as seen in passages like Ephesians 1:13-14, which states the Spirit is "the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
2 Corinthians 1:22 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ. It is "in Christ" that all of God's promises are "Yea, and Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20), and it is through our union with Him that we receive the sealing and the earnest of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, who is given as the "earnest," is often referred to as the "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9) or the "Spirit of Jesus" (Acts 16:7). He is the one who applies the redemptive work of Christ to the believer's heart, making the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection a present reality. The sealing signifies that believers are identified with Christ, sharing in His death, resurrection, and future glory (Romans 6:3-5). The "earnest" points forward to the full inheritance that believers will receive at Christ's return, when they will be fully conformed to His image (Romans 8:29) and share in His eternal reign (Revelation 22:5). Thus, the indwelling Spirit is not merely a down payment but a living connection to the resurrected Christ, ensuring that those whom God has sealed in Him will indeed reach their glorious destiny.