What does 2 Corinthians 5:5 mean?

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Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:5

Explanation

The verse 2 Corinthians 5:5 of the New Testament is a portion of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Corinth. Here, Paul is conveying the idea that God has purposefully created and equipped believers to live for a profound purpose beyond their mortal existence. The “selfsame thing” refers to an eternal, heavenly dwelling with God, as earlier verses discuss the Earthly and Heavenly dwellings and the longing for what is eternal.

The phrase “hath wrought us” speaks to God’s intimate crafting of our lives and destinies. It implies that God has a specific purpose for each believer that is aligned with an eternal plan. The assertion that God has also given “the earnest of the Spirit” suggests that, as a token of what’s to come, God provides believers with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee or down payment of their eternal inheritance. This down payment is the presence of the Holy Spirit within them on Earth, while they await the full consummation of their salvation in heaven.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, written approximately around AD 55-57. At that time, Paul was confronting various challenges in the Corinthian church, including internal conflicts, moral issues, and misunderstandings about Christian doctrines. The Corinthians struggled with both external pressures from a pagan society and internal tensions that threatened the unity and purity of the church.

The historical context reflects the early Christian community’s situation in a largely non-Christian world and the difficulties believers faced in reconciling their newfound faith with the reality of life around them. This particular passage responds to the concern of mortality and the assurance of life after death—a significant theme for a community often facing persecution and death for their beliefs.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, several ideas emerge from this verse. Firstly, the concept of God being the one who actively shapes the lives of believers affirms his sovereignty. This relates to a Calvinistic interpretation that emphasizes predestination and God’s overarching plan for each person.

Secondly, the mention of the “earnest of the Spirit” is particularly relevant in pneumatology, the study of the Holy Spirit. This part of the verse is often discussed in the context of soteriology, the doctrine of salvation. The Holy Spirit serving as a down payment is akin to how a deposit assures the future receipt of the full amount. In this sense, the present role of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives is a taste of the full communion they will enjoy with God in eternity.

Practical Applications

For the everyday believer, this verse offers encouragement and hope. Knowing that God has a greater eternal purpose for them can provide comfort during difficulties and uncertainties of life. The assurance of the Holy Spirit as a deposit of what is to come can serve as a reminder of God’s promises and presence.

In practical terms, this verse can inspire Christians to live with heaven in mind, understanding that their actions have eternal significance. It may also encourage the cultivation of a relationship with the Holy Spirit, acknowledging His guidance and transformative work in their everyday decisions and character development.

Cross-References

Ephesians 1:13-14 – “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Romans 8:23 – “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Ephesians 4:30 – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Language Study

The original Greek language of the New Testament gives additional insight into this verse. For “hath wrought us,” the Greek word κατεργάσατο (katērgasato) connotes the act of preparing or achieving something, indicating God’s active role in shaping the believers’ purpose. The phrase “the earnest of the Spirit” translates from the Greek ἀρραβῶν τοῦ Πνεύματος (arrabōn tou Pneumatos). ἀρραβῶν (arrabōn) was a legal and commercial term used to denote a pledge or down payment that legally binds a contract, providing assurance that full payment will follow. Πνεύματος (Pneumatos) refers to the Spirit, indicating the Holy Spirit’s role in the lives of believers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader ancient context, the idea of a deity forging a future for followers is not unique to Christianity. Many ancient religions had the concept of gods who directed the fates of mortals. However, the uniqueness in Christianity is the personal relationship aspect, the indwelling of God’s Spirit as a guarantee of future promises, and the transformation of individual lives in the present.

Other religions also have the concept of a pledge or deposit, often in the context of covenants between gods and people. However, the New Testament presents this in an intensely personal manner, centering on the individual’s inner experience and the presence of the divine within, which distinguishes it from the more transactional or external focus seen in some other ancient religions.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives generally do not intersect directly with the theological assertions made in this verse. The promise of an eternal dwelling and the gift of the Holy Spirit are matters of faith and belief that fall outside the scope of empirical science. While science might explore the nature of human cognition and emotion, the spiritual dimensions proposed by the verse—such as the presence of the Holy Spirit or the assurance of eternal life—remain theologically and philosophically grounded.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse, but most agree on its fundamental encouragement and promise to believers. Renowned commentator Matthew Henry sees it as a confirmation of the assurance believers can have in their salvation and the role of the Holy Spirit as a seal of that promise. Likewise, John Gill notes that the work of preparation for eternity is solely the work of God and not of man’s doing.

Some scholars also note the legal and financial connotations of the term “earnest,” suggesting that Paul may have been using language that would be familiar and reassuring in a commercial sense to his readers, to explain theological concepts. Overall, commentators find this verse comforting because it provides strong assurances of God’s intentions for believers and His commitment to fulfilling His promises.