our version, by itself, ‘In whom, i. e. united to whom, after that ye believed, ye were sealed.’ This is to be preferred not only because the other construction is unusual (i. 6. it is rare that πιστεύειν is followed by ἐν), but because the words, ὧν whom, occur so frequently in the context in the same sense with that here given to them. In Christ, the Gentile Christians had ob- tained an inheritance, and in him also, they were sealed—after having believed. Whatever is meant by sealing, it is something which follows faith.
There are several purposes for which a seal is used. 1. To authenticate or confirm as genuine and true. 2. To mark as one’s property. 3. To render secure. In all these senses believers are sealed. They are authenticated as the true children of God; they have the witness within themselves, 1 John 5,10. Rom. 8, 16. 5,5. They are thus assured of their reconciliation and acceptance. They are moreover marked as be- longing to God, Rev. 7, 3; that is, they are indicated to others, by the seal impressed upon them, as his chosen ones. And thirdly, they are sealed unto salva- tion; i. e. they are rendered certain of being saved. The sealing of God secures their safety. Thus believ- ers are said Eph. 4, 30, “to be sealed unto the day of redemption ;” and in 2 Cor. 1, 21, the apostle says: “Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who also hath sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” The sealing then of which this passage speaks answers all these ends. It assures of the favour