The Earnest of the Spirit 2 Corinthians 5:5

The church members in Corinth were told by Paul the apostle, “we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life”, and in chapter five and verse five of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “in this we groan”, where we read:

Now he that has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,

who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

The verse begins, “Now he that has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,... ” Paul began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “he that has wrought us” which means “the one who has performed, accomplished, achieved, worked out and brought results in Paul and his companions” “for the selfsame thing” which means “the clothing upon so mortality might be swallowed up of life” “is God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. “God” is the one who works “immortality” in Paul and his companions .

The verse goes on to say, “...who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” Paul continued with the words, “who also” which means “He even and indeed” “has given us” or “has granted, supplied, furnished and delivered”“the earnest” which means “the money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down-payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid” “of the Spirit” which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal who is co-eternal with the Father and the Son”. Paul shared how “God” “supplied” the “down payment” of His “Holy Spirit” as proof that He would furnish “eternal life”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we not only see how God promises to supply our “heavenly bodies”, but also has “granted and delivered” His Holy Spirit as a “down payment” for proof. Jesus desires to give every person who will believe in Him “immortality”, and when their “earthly body” is “destroyed” through death, they shall gain a “heavenly one”. God has provided His Holy Spirit as “evidence” that He shall do as He has said, and those who are wise shall receive the “earnest of His Holy Spirit” as Jesus becomes their “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Paul shares with the church members how he and his companions, “are always confident”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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