Ephesians 1:14

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 1:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God`s] own possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God`s] own possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God`s] own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance, &c.] The incorruptible and never fading one in heaven, or the heavenly kingdom; this is the Father's gift, his bequest, and belongs only to children; it comes to them through the death of the testator, Christ, and is for ever; and of this the Spirit of God is the pledge and earnest: an earnest, is what confirms an agreement, and assures the right to the thing agreed to, and is a part of it, and lesser than it, and is never returned; so the Spirit of God certifies the right to the heavenly inheritance, as well as gives a meetness for it; he is the firstfruits of eternal glory and happiness, and of the same kind with it; and as he is enjoyed in measure…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“earnest--the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow (Rom 8:23; Co2 1:22). until--rather, "Unto the redemption," &c.; joined thus, "ye were sealed (Eph 1:13) unto," that is, for the purpose of and against, the accomplishment of "the redemption," namely, not the redemption in its first stage, made by the blood of Christ, which secures our title, but, in its final completion, when the actual possession shall be ours, the full "redemption of the body" (Rom 8:23), as well as of the soul, from every infirmity (Eph 4:30). The deliverance of the creature (the body, and the whole visible creation) from the bondage of corruption, and from the usurping prince of this world, into…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance - On the meaning of this, see the notes at 2 Corinthians 1:22. Until the redemption - see the notes at Romans 8:23. The meaning here is, we have the Holy Spirit as the pledge that that shall be ours, and the Holy Spirit will be imparted to us until we enter on that inheritance. Of the purchased possession - Heaven, purchased for us by the death of the Redeemer. The word used here - περιποίησις peripoiēsis - occurs in the following places in the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:9, rendered “to obtain salvation;” 2 Thessalonians 2:14, “to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord;” Hebrews 10:39, “to the saving of the soul;” 1 Peter 2:9, “a peculiar…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who, thus sealing us, is an earnest - Both a pledge and a foretaste of our inheritance. Till the redemption of the purchased possession - Till the church, which he has purchased with his own blood, shall be fully delivered from all sin and sorrow, and advanced to everlasting glory. To the praise of his glory - Of his glorious wisdom, power, and mercy. Ephesians 1:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:14 The Spirit is both God’s guarantee of future blessings and a foretaste of eternal life and power. The believer’s eternal inheritance includes everything he promised (see also 1:18; Rom 8:17; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Col 1:12; 3:24; Titus 3:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the earnest: Rom 8:15-17, Rom 8:23; Co2 1:22, Co2 5:5; Gal 4:6 the redemption: Eph 4:30; Lev 25:24-34; Psa 74:2, Psa 78:54; Jer 32:7, Jer 32:8; Luk 21:28; Act 20:28; Rom 8:23; Pe1 2:9 \*marg. unto: Eph 1:6, Eph 1:12 Ephesians 1:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification