Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "earnest" is often used to describe a pledge or guarantee of something greater to come. It is akin to a down payment or deposit that assures the fulfillment of a promise. This concept is particularly significant in the context of the Holy Spirit and the believer's inheritance in Christ.
Biblical References:1.
2 Corinthians 1:22 : "set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." Here, the Apostle Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit as a "deposit" or "earnest" given to believers. This deposit is a foretaste and assurance of the full inheritance that awaits them in the kingdom of God. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life is a guarantee of the promises of God, including eternal life and the fullness of salvation.
2.
2 Corinthians 5:5 : "And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come." In this passage, Paul reiterates the idea that the Holy Spirit serves as a pledge or earnest. The Spirit's indwelling presence is a confirmation of God's commitment to bring believers into the fullness of their heavenly dwelling and eternal life.
3.
Ephesians 1:13-14 : "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." The Holy Spirit is described as the "pledge of our inheritance," emphasizing the certainty and security of the believer's future in Christ. This pledge is not only a promise but also a present reality that empowers and sanctifies the believer.
Theological Significance:The concept of "earnest" in the Bible underscores the faithfulness and reliability of God's promises. It assures believers that what they experience now through the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of the glorious future that God has prepared for them. The earnest of the Spirit is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding Christians that their current struggles and sufferings are temporary and that a greater reality awaits them.
The earnest also highlights the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. As a deposit, the Spirit not only guarantees future blessings but also actively works in the present to conform believers to the image of Christ. This ongoing work is evidence of the Spirit's role as a seal and guarantee of the believer's salvation.
In summary, the biblical concept of "earnest" serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people. It assures believers of their secure position in Christ and the certainty of their future inheritance, while also emphasizing the active and present work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (
2 Corinthians 1:22;
5:5;
Ephesians 1:14). The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in
Genesis 38:17-20; "indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages, probably through commercial dealings with the Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days. Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is joined with the figure of a seal when applied to the Spirit, it seems to be used by Paul in this specific sense." The Spirit's gracious presence and working in believers is a foretaste to them of the blessedness of heaven. God is graciously pleased to give not only pledges but foretastes of future blessedness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Sincere; purposeful; ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
2. (n.) Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
3. (a.) Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
4. (a.) Serious; important.
5. (v. t.) To use in earnest.
6. (n.) Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
7. (n.) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EARNESTur'-nest (arrhabon):
Found three times in the New Testament: The "earnest of our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:14); "the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 1:22;2 Corinthians 5:5).
It has an equivalent in Hebrew `erabhon (found inGenesis 38:17, 18, 20), in Latin arrabo, French arrhes and the Old English arles. The term is mercantile and comes originally from the Phoenicians. Its general meaning is that of a pledge or token given as the assurance of the fulfillment of a bargain or promise. It also carries with it the idea of forfeit, such as is now common in land deals, only from the obverse side. In other words, the one promising to convey property, wages or blessing binds the promise with an advance gift or pledge partaking of the quality of the benefit to be bestowed. If the agreement be about wages, then a part of the wages is advanced; if it be about land, then a clod given to the purchaser or beneficiary may stand as the pledge of final and complete conveyance of the property.
Figurative: In the spiritual sense, as used in the passages above named, the reference is to the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts being a token and pledge of a perfect redemption and a heavenly inheritance. There is more than the idea of security in the word as used, for it clearly implies the continuity and identity of the blessing.
C. E. Schenk
EAST GATE
SeeGATE, EAST.
EPHRAIM, GATE OF
SeeJERUSALEM.
FISH GATE
SeeJERUSALEM.
FOUNTAIN GATE
SeeJERUSALEM.
GATE, CORNER, FOUNTAIN, HORSE, SUR
SeeJERUSALEM.
HORSE GATE
SeeJERUSALEM.
OLD GATE
SeeJERUSALEM.
SUN GATE
SeeEAST GATE.
Greek
728. arrabon -- anearnest (a part payment in advance for security...... an
earnest (a part payment in advance for security). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: arrabon Phonetic Spelling: (ar-hrab-ohn') Short Definition
...1618. ektenes -- stretched, fig. zealous,earnest
... zealous,earnest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ektenes Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-ten-ace') Short Definition: intent, constant, strenuous, intense...
4705. spoudaios -- hasty, eager, diligent
... eager, diligent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: spoudaios Phonetic Spelling:
(spoo-dah'-yos) Short Definition: diligent,earnest Definition: diligent...
603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy
... of apo, kara (the head) and dokeo Definition strained expectancy NASB Word Usage
anxious longing (1),earnest expectation (1).earnest expectation....
1972. epipothesis -- longing
... Cognate: 1972 --earnest (yearning) affection. See 1971 ()....earnest desire. From
epipotheo; a longing for --earnest (vehement) desire. see GREEK epipotheo....
2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot
... be (literally "boiling" with interest or desire); "to be deeply committed to something,
with the implication of accompanying desire -- 'to beearnest, to set...
1974. epipothia -- longing
... Cognate: 1974 --earnest (yearning) affection. See 1971 (). Word Origin from epipotheo
Definition longing NASB Word Usage longing (1). great desire....
4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... From pros and kartereo; to beearnest towards, ie (to a thing) to persevere, be
constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises...
1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... in want," see also 1162 , "felt-need") -- properly, to because of lack -- hence,
to ; to have deep personal need causing one to (makeearnest, specific request...
4704. spoudazo -- to make haste, hence to give diligence
... be eager, hasten. From spoude; to use speed, ie To make effort, be prompt orearnest --
do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study....
Strong's Hebrew
8085. shama -- to hear... announce (2), announced (3), announces (3), completely (1), comprehends (1), diligently
(1), discern (1), disregarded* (1), gave heed (2), give
earnest heed (1
...3855. Lahad -- a man of Judah
... Lahad. From an unused root meaning to glow (compare lahab) or else to beearnest
(compare lahag); Lahad, an Israelite -- Lahad. see HEBREW lahab....
2743. Charuts -- grandfather of King Amon
... Haruz. The same as charuwts;earnest; Charuts, an Israelite -- Haruz. see HEBREW
charuwts. 2742d, 2743. Charuts. 2744 . Strong's Numbers.
8469. tachanun -- supplication for favor
... Tehinnah. Or (feminine) tachanuwnah {takh-an-oo-naw'}; from chanan;earnest prayer --
intreaty, supplication. see HEBREW chanan. 8468, 8469. tachanun. 8470 >...
Library
An Humble, Affectionate, andEarnest Address to the Clergy
An Humble, Affectionate, andEarnest Address to the Clergy. <. An Humble,
Affectionate, andEarnest Address to the Clergy William Law....
TheEarnest and the Inheritance
... EPHESIANS THEEARNEST AND THE INHERITANCE. 'Theearnest of our inheritance, until
the redemption of the purchased possession.'"Ephesians 1:14....
Seal andEarnest
... CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) SEAL ANDEARNEST. 'Who hath also sealed
us, and given theearnest of the Spirit in our hearts.'"2 Corinthians 1:23....
AnEarnest Invitation
... AnEarnest Invitation. A Sermon (No.260). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, July 3rd,
1859, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens....
November 12. "TheEarnest of the Spirit in Our Hearts" (ii. Cor. I...
... NOVEMBER 12. "Theearnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (II. Cor. i. 22). "Theearnest
of the Spirit in our hearts" (II. Cor. i.22). Life inearnest....
Anxious About Earth, orEarnest About the Kingdom
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII ANXIOUS ABOUT EARTH, OREARNEST ABOUT
THE KINGDOM. 'And He said unto His disciples, Therefore...
And God Himself, as anEarnest of Future Reward...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter VI. And
God himself, as anearnest of future reward? 1. And God...
Christ the Best Husband: or anEarnest Invitation to Young Women...
... Christ the Best Husband: Or anEarnest Invitation to Young Women to Come
and See Christ. This psalm is called the song of loves, the...
AnEarnest Exhortation to Worship God.
... Book II. Chapter XLII."AnEarnest Exhortation to worship God. "And now, since
it appears by the clearest and most convincing evidence...
Origen'sEarnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
... Book VI. Chapter XVI."Origen'sEarnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
1. Soearnest and assiduous was Origen's research into...
Thesaurus
Earnest (33 Occurrences)... The Spirit is the
earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Corinthians
1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).
... 5. (vt) To use in
earnest.
...Forward (252 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Ardent; eager;earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is
proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years....
Carefulness (6 Occurrences)
... with the flavor of earnestness added from the original Teutonic meaning of the word
care, we have the translation of spoude, "speed," "earnest care." "What...
Careful (130 Occurrences)
... with the flavor of earnestness added from the original Teutonic meaning of the word
care, we have the translation of spoude, "speed," "earnest care." "What...
Fervent (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Ardent;earnest; full of zeal; burning. 2.
(a.) Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer. Int....
Forwardness (2 Occurrences)
... ago"; the King James Version margin (Greek) "willing," the Revised Version (British
and American) "to will"); of spoudaios, "speedy," "earnest" (2 Corinthians 8...
Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... The first discourse (1-4:40) recapitulates the chief events of the last forty years
in the wilderness, withearnest exhortations to obedience to the divine...
Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... Anearnest temper; may be enlightened (Numbers 25:11-13; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 9:2),
or ignorant and misdirected (Romans 10:2; Philippians 3:6). As a Christian...
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Long. 2. (n.) An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; anearnest
wish; an aspiration. Multi-Version Concordance Longing (40 Occurrences)....
Intense (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Strained; tightly drawn; kept on the stretch; strict; very close or
earnest; as, intense study or application; intense thought....
Resources
What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the seal of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine in Ephesians 3:20? | GotQuestions.orgEarnest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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