2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that has worked us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit. I. WHAT IS GIVEN BY WAY OF EARNEST. II. THE NATURE OF AN EARNEST. 1. An earnest supposeth a bargain and contract. The right to eternal life cometh to believers in a way of covenant; they resign themselves to God by faith, and God bindeth Himself to give them forgiveness of sins. 2. Earnest is given when there is some delay of the thing bargained for. As soon as we enter into covenant with God we have a right; but our blessedness is deferred, not for want of love in God, but partly that in the meantime we may exercise our faith and love (Philippians 3:21; Romans 8:23), and partly that the heirs of salvation may glorify Him here upon earth (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). 3. An earnest is part of the whole bargain, though but a little part. So the saving gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit are a small beginning, ors part of that glory which shall then be revealed. Grace is begun glory, and they differ as an infant and a man. Regeneration is an immortal seed, a beginning of eternal life. 4. Earnest is given for the security of the party that receiveth it, not for him that giveth it. There is no danger of breaking on God's part; but God "was willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel"; because of our frequent doubts and fears in the midst of our troubles and trials, we need this confirmation. 5. It is not taken away till all be consummated, and therein an earnest differeth from a pawn or pledge. A pledge is something left with us, to be restored or taken away from us; but an earnest is filled up with the whole sum. So God giveth part to assure us of obtaining the whole in due season (Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:9). III. THE USE AND END OF AN EARNEST IS — 1. To raise our confidence of the certainty of these things. There is some place for doubts and fears, till we be in full possession, from weakness of grace and greatness of trials. 2. To quicken our earnest desires and illustrious diligence. The firstfruits are to show how good, as well as earnest how sure. 3. To bind us not to depart from these hopes. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.WEB: Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit. |
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