2 Corinthians 1:22 kjv

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:22 nkjv

who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 1:22 niv

set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 1:22 esv

and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 1:22 nlt

and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 22 Meaning

2 Corinthians 1:22 reveals three profound divine actions affirming God's relationship with believers: He has marked us as His own by sealing us, confirming our authenticity and ownership; He has graciously imparted His Holy Spirit to dwell within the core of our being (our hearts); and this indwelling Spirit serves as an irrefutable down payment, an initial installment guaranteeing the full and certain realization of our future inheritance and complete redemption in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1 22 Context

2 Corinthians chapter 1 opens with Paul affirming the steadfast faithfulness of God, contrasting it with human fickleness, particularly concerning his delayed visit to Corinth. Paul assures the Corinthians that God is reliable, and just as God is "Yes" in Christ (v.19-20), so too is their experience of Him reliable. Verse 22 builds directly upon Paul's statement in verse 21 that "it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us." These verses affirm the divine actions that validate Paul's apostolic authority and, more broadly, secure the Corinthians' (and all believers') position in Christ. In the ancient world, a "seal" indicated authenticity, ownership, and security, much like a signature or brand. An "arrabōn" (guarantee) was a common commercial term referring to a down payment or first installment, which legally bound the seller to complete the transaction and assured the buyer of the full delivery later. Therefore, in a culture where trust and agreements were often concretized through such symbols and legal pledges, Paul's words offered a profound assurance of God's unbreakable commitment to His people, leveraging familiar concepts to convey a deep theological truth about their salvation and future hope.

2 Corinthians 1 22 Word analysis

• who has also sealed: The Greek term for "sealed" is sphragisamenos (σφραγισάμενος), deriving from sphragis (σφραγίς). This signifies marking something for authenticity, ownership, or security. God Himself is the agent of this sealing, demonstrating His divine authority and personal claim over believers. It conveys a sense of finality and inviolability, marking us as His possession, just as kings or merchants sealed their property or documents. It's a permanent mark of divine election and protection, setting us apart for Himself.
• us: Refers collectively to believers, encompassing both Paul and the Corinthians, reinforcing their shared spiritual status in Christ.
• and given: The Greek dous (δούς) emphasizes a gracious, sovereign act of God's bestowal. This is not something earned or achieved, but a divine gift, an active choice on God's part to impart something precious.
• the Spirit: This explicitly refers to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. The Spirit's presence is not merely a metaphor but the indwelling of God's own living presence within believers. The Spirit is the life-giver, the empowerer, and the guide for all who follow Christ.
• in our hearts: The Greek kardiais (καρδίαις) refers to the innermost core of human being—not just the physical organ, but the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and spiritual life. This signifies that the Spirit's dwelling is deep and pervasive, transforming the believer from the inside out, rather than a superficial or external mark. This aligns with New Covenant promises where God writes His laws on hearts.
• as a guarantee: The Greek arrabōn (ἀρραβών) is a commercial term for an "earnest money," a "down payment," or "first installment." This legal and financial metaphor is immensely powerful: the Spirit given now is a real, tangible portion of the future heavenly inheritance. It irrevocably binds God to His promise, making the future full payment (eternal life, glorification, resurrected body) absolutely certain. It is not just a promise, but a concrete deposit, indicating that the rest will surely follow.

Words-group analysis:

• "sealed us and given us the Spirit": This phrase highlights God's dual action of identifying us as His own and personally inhabiting us through the Holy Spirit. The sealing points to external recognition and ownership, while the giving of the Spirit points to internal presence and transformation. These actions together secure the believer's identity and future.
• "in our hearts as a guarantee": This grouping emphasizes the deep, intimate dwelling of the Spirit, making the promise of future glory deeply personal and undeniable. The location "in our hearts" signifies profound transformation, while "as a guarantee" speaks to unwavering assurance and the certain fulfillment of all God's promises. The indwelling Spirit is the living proof that believers belong to God and will fully inherit eternal life.

2 Corinthians 1 22 Bonus section

The work of "establishing," "anointing," "sealing," and "giving the Spirit as a guarantee" (2 Cor 1:21-22) is intrinsically linked to the person and work of Christ. It is "in Christ" that believers are established and through whom God's promises become "Yes" (2 Cor 1:20). The seal of the Spirit, therefore, marks believers as being "in Christ," sharing in His secure position. This also implies the active involvement of the entire Trinity in the believer's salvation and sanctification: God the Father seals, Christ is the medium through whom this is accomplished, and the Holy Spirit is the tangible sign and indwelling pledge. This understanding undercuts any notion that a believer's standing is tenuous or based on human effort; it is founded entirely on God's unwavering faithfulness and irreversible gifts. The very presence of the Holy Spirit within us is a foretaste of eternal glory and serves as a constant reminder and empowerer for daily living in accordance with God's will.

2 Corinthians 1 22 Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:22 is a cornerstone verse emphasizing the divine security and identity of believers. God Himself initiates and completes the process: He "seals" us, denoting His ownership, authenticity, and preservation, similar to how an ancient seal secured a document or validated a legal contract. This sealing is a one-time, definitive act of divine possession. Furthermore, the tangible manifestation of this divine claim is the giving of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does not reside superficially but deeply "in our hearts," signifying a radical internal transformation and renewal of our inner being. Most powerfully, this indwelling Spirit is not merely a gift but serves "as a guarantee." Using the commercial term arrabōn, Paul illustrates that the Holy Spirit is the irrefutable first installment or down payment, an earnest pledge that makes the full heavenly inheritance absolutely certain. This verse provides immense comfort and assurance, countering any doubt about God's faithfulness or the security of salvation. It reminds believers that their spiritual status is not based on their fluctuating emotions or circumstances, but on the unchangeable, sovereign work of God Himself through His indwelling Spirit. It assures them that the future glory is as sure as the presence of the Spirit now.