Eph 1:14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.
KJV
Eph 1:14
He is the guarantee of our inheritance toward the redemption of the purchased
possession, to the praise of his splendor.
(from "The Everlasting Gospel", Copyright © 2000 by
Freed-Hardeman University. All rights reserved.)
Comments
"Which is the earnest"
This is a description of the Holy Spirit of promise mentioned in verse 13. Verse 13 and 14 are a single sentence separated only by a comma in the KJV. The word earnest is translated from the Greek word "arrhabon" (ar-hrab-ohn'); of Hebrew origin; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest.
"until the redemption"
The word "until" looks forward to something in the future. The thought here is of earnest money, or a down payment, given in advance for the redemption of the purchased possession. This redemption has not yet taken place at the time of this writing for the recipients of this epistle, who are identified in verse 1 as the "saints which are at Ephesus." This looking ahead to a redemption in the future by the saints which are at Ephesus dispels any allusions of any modern day Christian receiving their full redemption at the moment of their conversion.
"of the purchased possession"
The purchased possession is His church, (Acts 20:28), There
is only one body and Christ is the head and the members of the body are those
who are "in Christ," (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The Church and the body of
Christ are one and the same, (Ephesians 5:23). We who are "in Christ" are
His purchased possessions. He has given us a down payment in the Holy
Spirit of promise "until" the time of redemption.