Lexical Summary arrabón: Pledge, Guarantee, Deposit Original Word: ἀρραβών Strong's Exhaustive Concordance earnest. Of Hebrew origin (arabown); a pledge, i.e. Part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest -- earnest. see HEBREW arabown HELPS Word-studies 728 arrhabṓn – properly, an installment; a deposit ("down-payment") which guarantees the balance (the full purchase-price). 728 /arrhabṓn ("down-payment pledge") is the regular term in NT times for "earnest-money," i.e. advance-payment that guarantees the rest will be given. 728 (arrhabṓn) then represents full security backed by the purchaser who supplies sufficient proof they will fulfill the entire pledge (promise). [728 (arrhabṓn) is common in the papyri for "down payment/earnest money" and hence frequent in business documents and agreements.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin erabon Definition an earnest (a part payment in advance for security) NASB Translation given as a pledge (1), pledge (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 728: ἀραβών[ἀραβών Tdf., see ἀρραβών.] STRONGS NT 728: ἀρραβώνἀρραβών (Tdf. ἀραβών: 2 Corinthians 1:22 (to Lachmann); The term ἀρραβών originated in the business world of the eastern Mediterranean. It described a first installment that both initiated a transaction and guaranteed its completion. Because it was part of the whole payment, it functioned as a tangible promise that the remainder would certainly follow. In later Jewish and Greco-Roman practice the word also colored engagement customs: a groom’s gift to his bride signified that the wedding—and full covenantal union—was forthcoming. Old Testament Roots The Greek word reflects the Hebrew עֵרָבוֹן (ʿērāḇōn), found in passages such as Genesis 38:17–20, where Judah gives Tamar a personal item as “a pledge” of the agreed payment. This background confirms that an ἀρραβών is never a mere symbol; it is legally binding and carries the force of future fulfillment. The Septuagint maintains the same nuance, laying a conceptual bridge to New Testament usage. New Testament Usage 1. 2 Corinthians 1:22 – God “put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.” In each occurrence the ἀρραβών is not something believers give to God but something God gives to believers—the Holy Spirit Himself. The Holy Spirit as the Pledge By identifying the Spirit as ἀρραβών, Paul teaches that the indwelling Spirit is both (a) the first portion of the believer’s eternal inheritance and (b) God’s binding guarantee that the full inheritance will be delivered. The Spirit’s present ministries—illumination, sanctification, empowerment—are therefore foretastes of the coming glory (Romans 8:23). Just as a down payment is of the same currency as the final sum, the gift of the Spirit is of the same divine life that will fill the new creation. Assurance of Salvation Because the ἀρραβών is irrevocable, believers may rest in the certainty that God will complete what He has begun (Philippians 1:6). Assurance is grounded not in human resolve but in God’s own self-commitment. The Spirit’s internal witness (Romans 8:16) functions as the experiential side of this pledge; His fruit in a believer’s life is evidence that the transaction is authentic and ongoing. Eschatological Horizon The term stretches the believer’s vision toward the “redemption of the body” and the consummation of all things. Until that day, the Spirit mediates the age to come within the present age. The contrast between the already-received pledge and the not-yet-received fullness guards against both triumphalism and despair: triumphalism is checked by the recognition that the payment is partial; despair is banished by the certainty that the balance is guaranteed. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Preaching and teaching should highlight the Spirit’s role as divine guarantee, grounding calls to holiness in the security of God’s promise. Implications for Covenant Theology The bridal overtones of ἀρραβών enrich the New Testament portrait of Christ and the Church. The Spirit’s presence during the “betrothal” period anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9), assuring the Church that her Bridegroom will return to consummate the union. Summary Strong’s Greek 728, ἀρραβών, encapsulates God’s unwavering commitment to complete the salvation He has begun. The Spirit as down payment secures the believer’s future, energizes present obedience, and anchors the Church’s hope until faith becomes sight. Englishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 1:22 N-AMSGRK: δοὺς τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος NAS: in our hearts as a pledge. KJV: and given the earnest of the Spirit in INT: having given the pledge of the Spirit 2 Corinthians 5:5 N-AMS Ephesians 1:14 N-NMS Strong's Greek 728 |
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