Teks -- Ephesians 1:13 (NET)

1:13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)– when you believed in Christ– you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Eph 1:13 - Ye also

Ye also ( kai humeis ).

Ye Gentiles (now Christians), in contrast to hēmās (we) in Eph 1:12.

Robertson: Eph 1:13 - In whom

In whom ( en hōi ).

Repeated third time (once in Eph 1:11, twice in Eph 1:13), and note ho or hos in Eph 1:14.

Robertson: Eph 1:13 - Ye were sealed

Ye were sealed ( esphragisthēte ).

First aorist passive indicative of sphragizō , old verb, to set a seal on one as a mark or stamp, sometimes the marks of ownership or of worship of deities like stigmata (Gal 6:17). Marked and authenticated as God’ s heritage as in Eph 4:30. See note on 2Co 1:22 for the very use of the metaphor here applied to the Holy Spirit even with the word arrabōn (earnest).

Robertson: Eph 1:13 - Spirit

Spirit ( pneumati ).

In the instrumental case.

Vincent: Eph 1:13 - Ye also trusted

Ye also trusted

Gentile Christians. Trusted , which is not in the Greek, is unnecessary. The pronoun ye is nominative to were sealed .

Vincent: Eph 1:13 - In whom

In whom

Resuming the in whom at the beginning of the verse, and repeated on account of the length of the clause.

Vincent: Eph 1:13 - Ye were sealed

Ye were sealed ( ἐσφραγίσθητε )

See on Joh 3:33; see on Rev 22:10. Sealed with the assurance of the Holy Spirit. Rom 8:16; 2Co 1:22; 2Ti 2:19.

Vincent: Eph 1:13 - Spirit of promise

Spirit of promise

Strictly, the promise. Denoting the promise as characteristic of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit which was announced by promise. See Act 2:16 sqq.; Joe 2:28; Zec 12:10; Isa 32:15; Isa 44:3; Joh 7:39; Act 1:4-8; Gal 3:14.

Wesley: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye

Gentiles. Likewise believed, after ye had heard the gospel - Which God made the means of your salvation; in whom after ye had believed - Probably some time after their first believing.

Wesley: Eph 1:13 - Ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise

Holy both in his nature and in his operations, and promised to all the children of God. The sealing seems to imply, A full impression of the image of God on their souls. A full assurance of receiving all the promises, whether relating to time or eternity.

JFB: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also

Ye Gentiles. Supply as English Version, "trusted," from Eph 1:12; or "are." The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Act 13:46).

JFB: Eph 1:13 - the word of truth

The instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth (Joh 17:17; 2Ti 2:15; Jam 1:18). Compare Col 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with "hope." Also Eph 4:21.

JFB: Eph 1:13 - sealed

As God's confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal (Act 19:1-6; Rom 8:16, Rom 8:23; 1Jo 3:24; see on 2Co 1:22). A seal impressed on a document gives undoubted validity to the contract in it (Joh 3:33; Joh 6:27; compare 2Co 3:3). So the sense of "the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost" (Rom 5:5), and the sense of adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration (Rom 8:15-16), assure believers of God's good will to them. The Spirit, like a seal, impresses on the soul at regeneration the image of our Father. The "sealing" by the Holy Spirit is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs (Eph 1:11), is the Spirit's present testimony, the "earnest of the (coming) inheritance" (Rom 8:16-18).

JFB: Eph 1:13 - that Holy Spirit of promise

Rather, as the Greek, "The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit": The Spirit promised both in the Old and New Testaments (Joe 2:28; Zec 12:10; Joh 7:38-39). "The word" promised the Holy Spirit. Those who "believed the word of truth" were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.

Clarke: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also trusted

In whom ye also trusted - Ye Gentiles, having heard from us the word, τον λογον, the doctrine, of the truth, which is the Gospel, or glad tidings, of your salvation, have believed, as we Jews have done, and received similar blessings to those with which God has favored us

In whom also, εν ὡ, through whom, Christ Jesus, after that ye had believed, viz. that he was the only Savior, and that through his blood redemption might be obtained, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise; that is, The Holy Spirit, which is promised to them who believe on Christ Jesus, was given to you, and thus you were ascertained to be the children of God, for God has no child who is not a partaker of the Holy Ghost, and he who has this Spirit has God’ s seal that he belongs to the heavenly family. It was customary among all nations, when a person purchased goods of any kind, to mark with his seal that which he had bought, in order that he might know it, and be able to claim it if mixed with the goods of others; to this custom the apostle may here allude but it was also customary to set a seal upon what was dedicated to God, or what was to be offered to him in sacrifice. See this proved in the note on Joh 6:27. The Jews themselves speak of the seal of God, which they term אמת emeth , truth, and which they consider as a representation of the unoriginated and endless perfections of God. As the apostle is here speaking of the doctrine of truth, which came by the Holy Spirit, and is sealed on the souls of believers by this Spirit, he may have in view the Jewish notion, which is at once both correct and elevated. This Spirit of truth, Joh 14:17, who leads into all truth, Joh 16:13, and teaches all things, Joh 14:26, makes the impression of his own eternal purity and truth in the souls of them who believe, and thus they bear the seal of God Almighty. And they who in the day of judgment are found to bear this seal - Truth; truth in the inward parts, having truly repented, truly believed, and having been in consequence truly justified, and truly sanctified; and having walked in truth and sincerity towards God and man; these are sealed to the day of redemption; for, having this seal, they are seen to have a right to eternal life.

Calvin: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also // In whom also, after that ye believed // With that Holy Spirit of promise

13.In whom ye also He associates the Ephesians with himself, and with the rest of those who were the first fruits; for he says that they, in like manner, trusted in Christ. His object is, to shew that both had the same faith; and therefore we must supply the word trusted from the twelfth verse. He afterwards states that they were brought to that hope by the preaching of the gospel.

Two epithets are here applied to the gospel, — the word of truth, and the gospel of your salvation. Both deserve our careful attention. Nothing is more earnestly attempted by Satan than to lead us either to doubt or to despise the gospel. Paul therefore furnishes us with two shields, by which we may repel both temptations. In opposition to every doubt, let us learn to bring forward this testimony, that the gospel is not only certain truth, which cannot deceive, but is, by way of eminence, (κατ ᾿ ἐξοχὴν,) the word of truth, as if, strictly speaking, there were no truth but itself. If the temptation be to contempt or dislike of the gospel, let us remember that its power and efficacy have been manifested in bringing to us salvation. The apostle had formerly declared that

“it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth,” (Rom 1:16;)

but here he expresses more, for he reminds the Ephesians that, having been made partakers of salvation, they had learned this by their own experience. Unhappy they who weary themselves, as the world generally does, in wandering through many winding paths, neglecting the gospel, and pleasing themselves with wild romances, —

“ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,”
(2Ti 3:7)

or to find life! But happy they who have embraced the gospel, and whose attachment to it is steadfast; for this, beyond all doubt, is truth and life.

In whom also, after that ye believed Having maintained that the gospel is certain, he now comes to the proof. And what higher surety can be found than the Holy Spirit? “Having denominated the gospel the word of truth, I will not prove it by the authority of men; for you have the testimony of the Spirit of God himself, who seals the truth of it in your hearts.” This elegant comparison is taken from Seals, which among men have the effect of removing doubt. Seals give validity both to charters and to testaments; anciently, they were the principal means by which the writer of a letter could be known; and, in short, a seal distinguishes what is true and certain, from what is false and spurious. This office the apostle ascribes to the Holy Spirit, not only here, but in another part of this Epistle, (Eph 4:30,) and in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, (2Co 1:22.) Our minds never become so firmly established in the truth of God as to resist all the temptations of Satan, until we have been confirmed in it by the Holy Spirit. The true conviction which believers have of the word of God, of their own salvation, and of religion in general, does not spring from the judgment of the flesh, or from human and philosophical arguments, but from the sealing of the Spirit, who imparts to their consciences such certainty as to remove all doubt. The foundation of faith would be frail and unsteady, if it rested on human wisdom; and therefore, as preaching is the instrument of faith, so the Holy Spirit makes preaching efficacious.

But is it not the faith itself which is here said to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? If so, faith goes before the sealing. I answer, there are two operations of the Spirit in faith, corresponding to the two parts of which faith consists, as it enlightens, and as it establishes the mind. The commencement of faith is knowledge: the completion of it is a firm and steady conviction, which admits of no opposing doubt. Both, I have said, are the work of the Spirit. No wonder, then, if Paul should declare that the Ephesians, who received by faith the truth of the gospel, were confirmed in that faith by the seal of the Holy Spirit.

With that Holy Spirit of promise This title is derived from the effect produced; for to him we owe it that the promise of salvation is not made to us in vain. As God promises in his word, “that he will be to us a Father,” (2Co 6:18,) so he gives to us the evidence of having adopted us by the Holy Spirit.

Defender: Eph 1:13 - sealed

The sealing ministry of the Spirit, serving as an assurance (a down payment or earnest money) of our ultimate complete redemption when Christ comes again (Eph 1:14), is also mentioned in 2Co 1:22 and Eph 4:30. This sealing is evidenced experientially by His indwelling witness and guidance (Rom 8:16, Rom 8:23)."

TSK: Eph 1:13 - ye also // after that ye heard // the word // the gospel // ye were // holy

ye also : Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12; Col 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:10

after that ye heard : Eph 4:21; Joh 1:17; Rom 6:17, Rom 10:14-17; Col 1:4-6, Col 1:23; 1Th 2:13

the word : Psa 119:43; 2Co 6:7; 2Ti 2:15; Jam 1:18

the gospel : Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16; Act 13:26; Rom 1:16; 2Ti 3:15; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:3

ye were : Eph 4:30; Joh 6:27; Rom 4:11; 2Co 1:22; 2Ti 2:19; Rev 7:2

holy : Joe 2:28; Luk 11:13, Luk 24:49; Joh 14:16, Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26, Joh 15:26, Joh 16:7-15; Act 1:4; Act 2:16-22, Act 2:33; Gal 3:14

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also // In whom ye also trusted // Ye // The word of truth // The gospel of your salvation // In whom also after that ye believed // Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit // Of promise

In whom ye also here is a defect of the verb in the Greek, which may be supplied either from Eph 1:11 , which seems to be the principal verb in the sentence, and then it must be read: In whom ye also have obtained an inheritance; or from Eph 1:12 , trusted, which is the nearest verb; so our translation:

In whom ye also trusted but neither way makes any difference in the scope of the words.

Ye ye Ephesians and other Gentiles.

The word of truth the gospel, so called, either:

1. By a usual Hebraism, from the true word; or:

2. By way of eminency, as containing the most excellent and necessary of all truths, the doctrine of righteousness and life by Jesus Christ; or:

3. With respect to the law and its shadows, the truth and substance of which is held forth in the gospel.

The gospel of your salvation: both in respect of the matter contained in it, the doctrine of salvation, and in respect of its efficiency, as being the means whereby God works faith, and brings to salvation, Rom 1:12 Heb 2:3 .

In whom also after that ye believed ; in whom either is to be referred to believers; q.d. After ye believed in Christ: or to sealing; and then it shows by virtue of whom this benefit of sealing is bestowed, viz. by virtue of Christ.

Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit ye were secured and ascertained of your right to the inheritance; which we may understand to be done either by the Spirit’ s impressing upon the soul the image of God in the work of regeneration, or (because that cannot so well be understood to be after believing) rather by his testimony in men’ s own consciences afterward; whether immediate, by an overpowering light shining into the soul, and filling it with assurance of its interest in Christ and heaven; or mediate, enabling a man to discern that image of God in his soul, by which the Spirit bears witness to his interest in the inheritance, and assures him of it: see Eph 4:30 Rom 8:16 Gal 4:6 .

Of promise because the Spirit’ s coming was before promised, or because he verifies and confirms the promises in and to the hearts of believers.

PBC: Eph 1:13 - sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise

" sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise"

The inner man is born of the Spirit of God and bears that mark within. 1Jo 3:9. That soul has the seal and earnest of the inheritance to come and longs and reaches for it here, though bound by the flesh. That hope, (assured knowledge based on fact -my definition), is what delivers us in this life in following the movings of the Spirit and truth of the word. We are indeed saved by His life, not in the hereafter only, but now! That inner man is waiting for the adoption to be complete in body, soul, and spirit. That is the redemption of the body. The inner is born in spirit of the family of God, the flesh of the family of Adam has been paid for by the blood of Christ and legally purchased for a certain purpose, it will be changed, the mortal will put on immortality, the corrupt will put on incorruption, death will be swallowed up in victory! The firstfruits of that is planted within us, the harvest is promised. The firstborn, elder brother, of this sits in the seat of power, Jesus Christ. Verily God-Verily Man. He rules over the proceedings of the covenant being finished. It shall be done. Ro 8:28-30.

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See WebbSr: TRUSTING IN CHRIST

See WebbSr: SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE

Eph 1:12-13 " That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

James in his writing to the " twelve tribes" scattered abroad says that they should be a kind of first fruit of his creatures, and Jeremiah, calls Israel the first fruits of increase. It was the Jewish brethren who first heard the word and hoped in Christ, and who should so deport themselves to their Gentile brethren who trusted later, as to glorify God and that the enemies of Christ may have no evil thing to say of them. While the extraordinary gifts of the apostle’s day no longer mark the ministry " of God’s word," yet the Lord still blesses it to the comfort and satisfaction of his quickened people, whereby they are led into obedient life, and thus sealed and marked to as children of God.

Eld. James Oliphant

Haydock: Eph 1:13 - In whom you....were sealed

In whom you....were sealed, &c. Having been regenerated in baptism, you have received the Holy Spirit and the supernatural gifts which he communicates, by which he has, as it were, impressed upon you the seal of your sanctification and the pledge of your salvation. It is not an external impression, such as that by which soldiers are marked by their sovereigns, nor circumcision, as of old, but it is a mark within you ---

the grace with which you are filled ---

which shews itself outwardly by miraculous effects, &c. (Calmet) ---

Some refer these words, in whom you were sealed, to the sacrament of baptism; others to confirmation: both, with the sacrament of holy orders, confer a character, or mark, of which St. Paul seems to speak whenever he speaks of God sealing us.

Gill: Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also trusted // after that ye heard the word of truth // the Gospel of your salvation // in whom also after that ye believed // ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise

In whom ye also trusted,.... The Gentile believers, the Ephesians, whom the apostle now particularly addresses; and who participated of the same grace and privileges with the believing Jews; the promise belonged to all that God called, whether afar off or nigh; and the same common salvation was sent to one as to another; and the same faith was wrought in one as in the other; and they were interested in the same Christ, and were heirs of the same inheritance; the Alexandrian copy reads "we":

after that ye heard the word of truth; the Gospel; and which is so called, on account of its divine original, coming from the God of truth, who cannot lie; and because of the concern which Christ has in it, who is truth itself, and was the author, subject, and preacher of it, and who confirmed it by his miracles, and his death; and on account of the Spirit of God, the dictator of it, and who leads into all truths, and owns and blesses them for conversion and comfort; and because it contains nothing but truth, and particularly that eminent one, salvation alone by Christ, for the chief of sinners; and in contradistinction from the law, which was typical and shadowy; מלה דקשוט, "the word of truth", is a phrase used by the Jews ^e, for sublime and heavenly doctrine: now, by the hearing of this, faith came; and this the Ephesians heard, not only externally, but internally; so as to understand, approve, and believe it, and to put it in practice: and which is also called

the Gospel of your salvation: because it is a declaration and publication of salvation by Christ; and gives an account of the author of salvation, of his ability and willingness to save, and of the nature of this salvation, and describes the persons who shall be saved; and because it is the means of salvation, when attended with the Spirit and power of God; and the instrument, in God's hand, of showing to souls their special and particular interest in salvation:

in whom also after that ye believed; which may refer either to the Gospel of salvation, in which they believed upon hearing it; or rather to Christ, the Saviour revealed, in whom they believed to the saving of their souls: and this shows, that the sealing work of the Spirit after mentioned, and with which this stands in connection, is a distinct thing from faith, or indeed any other work of the Spirit; as illumination, regeneration, sanctification, &c. it is what follows believing, and is a work that passes upon the soul after it; and so is something over and above, and more than faith, at least than first believing: and from hence it also appears, that there may be true faith, where this is not as yet; and that none but believers in Christ enjoy the following privilege:

ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. This cannot have respect to the Father's sealing his people in election, with the seal of his foreknowledge, 2Ti 2:19 for that is before faith, and is within himself, and not on them, and is distinct from the Spirit's work; and for the same reasons it cannot design the Son's affection to them, setting them as a seal on his arm and heart, Son 8:6, or his asserting his property in them, and the security and protection of them, Son 4:12, nor the Spirit's finishing and completing his own work of grace upon the soul, in which sense the word is used, Rom 15:28 for this as yet was not done upon these believing Ephesians; nor the confirming the Gospel, and the saints in it, by the extraordinary effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, or by his extraordinary works which attended the ministry of the word, to the establishing of it, and the faith of men in it; since these were not common to believers, nor did they continue; whereas the believing Ephesians, in common, were sealed; and the Spirit of God continues still as a sealer of his people, and as an earnest and pledge of their inheritance until the day of redemption; but it is to be understood of the confirming, certifying, and assuring the saints, as to their interest in the favour of God, and in the blessings of grace, of every kind, and their right and title to the heavenly glory; See Gill on 2Co 1:22, and the seal of these things is not circumcision, nor baptism, nor the Lord's supper, nor even the graces of the Spirit; but the Spirit himself, who witnesses to the spirits of believers the truth of these things, and that as a "spirit of promise": so called, both because he is the Spirit promised, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, whom the Father and Christ had promised, and who was sent by them; and because he usually seals, or certifies believers of the truth of the above things, by opening and applying a word of promise to them: and which he does also, as the "Holy" Spirit; for this sealing work of his leaves a greater impress of holiness upon the soul, and engages more to acts of holiness; wherefore the doctrine of assurance is no licentious doctrine; no persons are so holy as those who are truly possessed of that grace; and as for such who pretend unto it, and live in sin, it is a certain thing that they in reality know nothing of it.