Increasing Installments (Ephesians 1:14)

EPHESIANS 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit is the "earnest" of our inheritance.

DEPOSIT

Whenever someone purchases a house, or property, generally, there is a deposit; a certain amount of security, indicating the seriousness of intention from the Buyer, to follow through with the commitment. However, in this example, if the purchase does not complete, due to lack of finance, on the Buyers part, or the property not passing inspection, the deposit is returned, and the purchaser suffers no financial loss.

EARNEST

The Greek word translated "earnest", in English, is (arrabon) [728, Strong's]. This word suggests a similar transaction as the example above, but it is much more extensive in meaning. First of all, when someone gave an (arrabon) to another, both the giver, and the recipient, entered into a binding contract or covenant. In fact, any terms were negotiated beforehand, prior to money or goods exchanging hands. Once an (arrabon) was given, both parties were legally bound to the terms of the contract.

DOWN-PAYMENT

The word is suspected to have derived from the Phoenicians, who were noted as seafaring traders of slaves and a vast array of other goods. When an (arrabon) was given, it was 'a down-payment of more to come', or a first installment of more of the same, in increasing amounts. The purchaser was obligated to give the remaining amount, or forfeit the initial deposit, and the recipient was obligated to receive the balance of payment, and surrender the purchased item.

LEGAL CLAIM

Once the (arrabon) was given, both parties were fully aware, that the purchaser now had a legal claim on the goods or product which they had placed a first installment upon.

The word illustrating this commercial transaction is only used 3 times in the New Testament:

2 CORINTHIANS 1:22

"...[God, our Father] has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (NKJV)

"[He has also appropriated and acknowledged us, as His, by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit (and) guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. (Amplified)

"...a first installment of future rewards..." (Williams)

"...and gave us in our hearts the Spirit's security deposit..." (Berkeley)

2 CORINTHIANS 5:5

"...who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit." (NKJV)

"...who has given His Spirit as guarantee..." (Weymouth)

"...who has given me the Spirit as its pledge and installment..." (Moffatt)

"...He has given me the Spirit as the first installment of future bliss..." (Williams)

EPHESIANS 1:14

"...the Holy Spirit, who is the token payment of our inheritance, guaranteeing the full payment of all..." (Wuest)

"That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption (and) our acquiring [complete] possession of it ..." (Amplified)

"...(the) Holy Spirit, which is the pledge and installment of our common heritage..." (Moffatt)

"...who is an earnest of our inheritance..." (Conybeare)

"...who is the first installment of our inheritance..." (Williams)

COVENANT

A covenant has been formed, and we are the legal possession of our Father. In fact (arrabon) was also used as the term of a marriage engagement. There is a binding contract between us and our Father God.

MORE to COME

What is fascinating about the (arrabon) is that it was a first installment of more to come, and the balance was often paid in installments, until the full amount was given. In the scripture, the Holy Spirit Himself is actually the (arrabon),and the guarantee of more to come. Even though we will receive much more of the same, the idea of installments of more of the same is intriguing.

INSTALLMENTS

We ultimately will receive a full reward and glorious inheritance, of all that the Father has in store, for all His children. However, we can enjoy, right now, with increasing glory, installments of the Holy Spirit, in deeper levels of intimacy; further manifestations and gifts of the Spirit; and signs and wonders; all a taste of good things to come.

HEBREWS 2:4

"...miracles and miracles of a startling, imposing, amazement making character, and with variegated miracles, and with distributions [of spiritual gifts] from the Holy Spirit..." (Wuest)

"...signs and marvels and various mighty works, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit..." (Weymouth)

"...supernatural proofs, wonders, different kinds of miracles..." (Basic English)

"...a great variety of miraculous powers..." (Berkeley)

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours