Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 1:13

"in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise," — Ephesians 1:13 (ASV)

“You also,” in contrast to “we,” clearly identifies the Gentile Christians in Ephesus (cf. 2:19). They are only addressed in this specific manner in order to remind them that they are fully incorporated into the body of Christ. Jews can no longer cling to their former prerogatives; Gentiles are equal partners and in every respect share the inheritance. In the Christian community there are no secondclass citizens.

It is the hearing of faith that brings salvation. The Ephesians had embraced “the word of truth”—i.e., the teaching that told them the truth because it was derived from the God of truth (4:21). The truth they needed to know was that they as Gentiles had a place in God’s redemptive plan (2 Corinthians 6:7; Colossians 1:5; James 1:18). This was good news indeed, and through accepting it they were liberated from bondage to sin.

Hearing, faith, and salvation were immediately followed by the sealing of the Holy Spirit. At the moment they believed, the Ephesian Christians received the stamp of the Spirit (cf. Acts 19:2). Paul does not have water baptism primarily in mind here, but rather what water baptism symbolizes—the effusion of the Holy Spirit himself. He is made available to believers according to the promises recorded in the OT and confirmed by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is at once the one promised and the one in whom the promises are fulfilled.

A “seal” (GK 5381 & 5382) had various uses, all of which are instructive as applied to the Holy Spirit. It was affixed to a document to guarantee its genuineness. It was attached to goods in transit to indicate ownership and ensure protection. It also represented a designation of office in the state service.