Paul introduces the Spirit as both a “seal” and “a guarantee” given in pledge.
In him you also…, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Both terms are common in the life of ancient Ephesus, a gateway for trade between three continents. Government and customs officials, sailors and soldiers, merchants and citizens deal with seals often. The seal, whether on a cargo load or an official document, serves two purposes. It gives public notice of ownership, and it proves that the contents remain safe. The seal fulfills both functions just by its unbroken presence. In the same way, just having the Spirit serves as a supernatural badge of authority. His presence announces to all, and especially to demonic enemies: “This believer has come into Jesus Christ, the King now enthroned ‘far above all rule and authority, power and dominion’! In Christ, this person is the child of God, safe under the Father’s protection.”
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:28-29). M
The Spirit, however, is more than a badge of presence. This “seal” is living and powerful. He works for our safety and success. Consider, for example, the way we come to our Father.
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18).
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). M
Prayers are like cargo packages. The Spirit’s very presence testifies that true sons send these prayers. But the Spirit hardly sits there like a lump of sealing wax. He actively wraps our prayers, as rich presents are wrapped, for Jesus our Mediator to present to the Father. We may lack full understanding, but this we do know: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness!” Conscious of this truth, we are confidently “praying at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). We gladly follow the Spirit’s revealed word,1 and so obey His instructions: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30) and, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
1. Ephesians 3:5; 6:17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 14:37; 1 Timothy 4:1