To summarize, Ephesians 1: 3-11 discusses how God chose Israel, predestinated them to adoption, provided redemption, and became the vessels through whom salvation came into the world. The personal pronouns in verses 3-11 are significant because it distinguishes the “we” from the “you” as participants. The Gentiles are being added to the promise of the inheritance. So, verses 12-13 starts with the Jews who first trusted in God and adds, “you also (Gentiles) were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
What we know of the Ephesians is taken from this letter and Luke’s history of Paul’s work among them as recorded in Acts 19. Luke reveals that when he arrived in Ephesus, he meets twelve disciples whom he asked, ‘Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?’ They had not heard that the Holy Spirit was to be given. After Paul taught them the purpose of John’s baptism and the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were baptized into the name of Jesus. This same pattern is seen in Peter’s teaching in Acts 2:38-39. After the twelve were baptized, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. They were sealed with the Holy Spirit at that point. It was visible evidence that the Holy Spirit was the power behind them. This miraculous impartation of power was the seal that gave evidence that they were His children. In other words, it was the guarantee of their inheritance.
Seals were used for various purposes. First, the seal was used by princes and kings and nobles in the time of the Bible as a way of securing it for some future time or certain readers, only. For example, when Daniel ignored the King’s decree and prayed to God as he had always done in the past, he was thrown into a lion’s den (Daniel 6:16). Before throwing him in the den, the king said to him, “May thy God whom thou serveth continually, rescue you.” Verse 17 explains that a stone was brought in and laid upon the mouth of the den and “the king sealed it with his signet, the signet of his lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” If someone approached anything with the King’s seal, no one was to tamper with it, and certainly not open it. The highest authority in the land had sealed it and secured it with his personal signet mark. The most common seal was melted wax placed on a scroll that would close it up or seal it.[1] An impression from the ring would identify the authority of the one who bound it.
Another illustration of securing something from tampering is when Jesus was buried in the tomb. A stone was rolled across its entrance and sealed with the seal of Rome. No power should dare open the seal unless it is a power greater than Rome. Of course, a power greater than Rome broke the seal when Jesus came forth from the grave.
The second use of a seal is a sign of authenticity. When Jezebel wrote an official letter, giving all rights of Naboth’s vineyard to Ahab, the letter was sealed (1 Kings 21: 8). This proved that it was a legitimate document from the King, as a royal signature. Once again, the application of this type proves authenticity and anyone thus sealed is an authentic representative of the King.
Another illustration of authenticity is seen when completing a transaction. Jeremiah was told by God to buy a field, not for himself to enjoy but for his descendants who will one day return from the captivity (Jeremiah 32). When Jeremiah bought the land, he sealed the transaction. It is genuine, authentic evidence that the land was bought by Jeremiah.
Similarly, a seal could be used to mark ownership like a brand would, today. Shepherds may mark their flocks to distinguish their own from those of others. True Christians are marked as God’s possession. This mark of ownership is presented in John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Lamb that turned Lion of the tribe of Judah. Some had the mark of the beast, while others were sealed with the blood of Christ. That this seal is particularly involved in the meaning of this text is clear from verse 14 that speaks of God’s “own possession.”[2]
All of these uses share at least two common elements. First, the significance of the seal is only as good as the one who sealed it. In each case cited, the highest power in the land placed a seal on something to prove the presence of their hand and involvement. While seals were used by others of inferior rank and power, anyone with less power dares not tamper with it. On the other hand, someone with greater power could break the seal, as in the case of Christ in the book of Revelation. Second, the seal had to be in plain view to provide tangible evidence. If a seal was not visible, it could hardly serve the intended purpose. Further, not just any visible marker was good enough. Any mark or seal that could not be authenticated is of no value. Just like our signatures are our mark of identity, each seal was associated with a particular person and provided the necessary proof of that association. When Paul discussed the collection from the Gentiles being sent to Jews, he called it the seal of their love. In other words, it was proof of their love. The Corinthians were called Paul’s seal of apostleship for the same reason.
Therefore, if the Ephesians had been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, His powerful presence through earthen vessels was the visible proof of their identity. When the twelve were baptized in the name of Jesus, they began to speak in tongues when Paul laid his hands on them. This was the sign that they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift was demonstrated by the miraculous powers distributed to the saints as the Spirit willed it. They were God’s seal on the Ephesians. To argue that this was the reception of some non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit breaks down the meaning and purpose of the seal. The Holy Spirit placed His seal of ownership on first-century Christians to authenticate and prove that they were His children. If they were not visible proofs, they would be left to interpret a subjective feeling that they were God’s children. Further, New Testament Christians became the temple of the Holy Spirit that indwelt them.
Paul speaks of the war occurring in the “heavenlies” in his letter to the Ephesians. Yet, a visible demonstration of the war is seen in the first century because miraculous powers characterized the last days. To counter the work of Jesus Christ, and His disciples after the coming of the Holy Spirit, Satan had the power to take possession of someone (demon possession). The showdown was concerned about the power of possession. On the one hand, demons could possess a human body. On the other hand, the incarnation of Jesus was a demonstration of deity indwelling a body. Then, when Jesus ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:8), i.e., he empowered his people (the ekklesia) to strengthen one another and go to war against the powers of Satan. This demonstration of God’s power through His children was his seal of possession.
Ephesians 4:8 describes it with the following words,
Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts unto men.”
The gifts are listed in verse 11 as Jesus empowers his people to war against principalities and powers in the heavenly places (…..). They are sealed, not with wax but with the Holy Spirit, who provided a visible demonstration of divine power. It accomplished two very important things. First, it authenticated that the message from those empowered by the Spirit is from God. This was convincing proof that was necessary to produce faith. For example, Acts 14:2-3 reads,
But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
Second, it provided proof of their identity. Peter said, Repent and be baptized, and you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Upon receiving the promised gift, the signs and miracles verified the promise of God and assured them of God’s approval.
The application of this sealing both in the broader context of the Scriptures and the particular context of the Ephesian letter points to the same promise that God had made through Peter in Acts 2:38-39 (cf. Acts 5:32?). God placed his seal upon those who obey him that proves whose they are and authenticates the hand of God, the highest power in heaven and earth. Yet, this seal is not a non-miraculous assurance of God’s presence based upon emotions and how one feels. This isn’t a visible proof but is highly subjective and open to false claims. Instead, the seal with the Holy Spirit is an undeniable proof of God’s hand and authenticates the presence of his power through human vessels.
On the other hand, the reader must keep in mind that this promise was given at a specific time and purpose that is no longer present. As already noted on pages, the promise of the Holy Spirit was a promise of the last days of the Jewish era that gave evidence that the time of the end was upon them all and that the gospel preached by the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers was authentic, and therefore, must be obeyed to “save themselves from that perverse generation” (Acts 2:40).
Some are very defensive concerning their claim of miraculous power, today. Seeing that they have bought into the idea that all the contents of the Bible are applicable today, they must be able to perform miracles in the name of Christ. It’s a cheap imitation of the power of first-century disciples. It would be paramount to fabricating a signet ring that intended to look like the real one or making counterfeit bills to pass for the real ones. To claim miraculous powers today and not provide the visible evidence of such power has caused unbelievers to verify their doubt, and believers to question their faith when they don’t have the same power. Others have acknowledged their awareness of the absence of a real miracle being performed, but believe that the effect of the hype and level of energy in praising God is the goal. It becomes the vehicle upon which we may ride that brings the human spirit to an ecstatic experience. Anything less would show the absence of God in their midst. Of course, there’s no need for this fabrication, today. God has completed his plan for human redemption.
Not all of those professing miraculous power has such wicked intent as had Simon, the sorcerer. Yet, they exist when someone knows they do not have the power of God but learns the use of certain tricks and sleight of hand to dupe the people. You can expect that some individuals may believe that they are great men of God. Carefully note the passage below and notice the change in Samaria when Philip came to town.
Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
(Acts 8:9-11). Without people like Philip coming to town, we have many communities believing that certain men have the same power of God. Yet, the genuine seal is not there and the proof of God’s hand in those imitations is absent.
Some interpreters have proposed a view of this sealing that doesn’t fit the context of Scripture. They proclaim that the sealing is the security of today’s believer that can never be altered, once they are saved. It would be similar to getting a tattoo, today. In this way, they claim that the transaction is finished as God places his seal of ownership. However, this text cannot be offered as a proof-text for the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer or once saved, always saved. The problem with the view is that it cannot be tested with any objective criteria. How is one to prove that they have been sealed? The better felt than told approach is open to subjectivism and doesn’t provide the visible proof that a seal implies. The miraculous powers, on the other hand, provided the visible evidence of God’s power and verified the message which the miracles had accompanied, as being from God. These conclusions do not negate the need for faith. Instead, it confirms the need for faith with the understanding that faith is based upon evidence (Hebrews 11:1).
The beauty of the chapter is the break of verse 13 because up to that point, the “us” is focused on the Jew who has been given the blessings in Christ.
[1] The Book of Revelation was sealed by Daniel the prophet because it pertained to many years after Daniel’s time (Daniel 12:4). It was to remain sealed until the time of the end (not to be confused with the end of time). The Lamb of God was the only one worthy to unloosen the seals. He was the only one with the right and power to break the seals thereof.
[2] G. Fitzer, “sphragis,” TDNT, VII, 950 n. 86; Ibid p. 949.