Based on the practice of sealing letters, documents and property, the Holy Spirit is described as being a seal on the lives of God's people, affirming their Christian character, marking them out as belonging to God and guarding them from the world and the devil.
The Holy Spirit's seal on the life of Jesus Christ
John 6:27 The Greek implies a once-and-for-all sealing at a particular time in the past and probably alludes to the baptism of Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit came upon him. See also Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
The seal of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers
The seal marks God's ownership
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 See also Revelation 7:3–4, Revelation 9:4, Revelation 14:1, Revelation 22:4
Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
The seal acts as a guarantee of redemption
Ephesians 1:13–14 See also 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Peter 1:5
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.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.