Luk 21:28, Rom 8:23, Eph 1:14, 4:30 | JFB | STEP | 25-28. signs, &c.-- Though the grandeur of this language carries the mind over the head of all periods but that of Christ's second coming, nearly every expression will be found used of the Lord's coming in terrible national judgments, as of Babylon, &c.; and from , , it seems undeniable that its immediate reference was to the destruction of Jerusalem, though its ultimate reference beyond doubt is to Christ's final coming.

‏ Luke 21:28

25-28. signs, &c.--Though the grandeur of this language carries the mind over the head of all periods but that of Christ's second coming, nearly every expression will be found used of the Lord's coming in terrible national judgments, as of Babylon, &c.; and from Lu 21:28, 32, it seems undeniable that its immediate reference was to the destruction of Jerusalem, though its ultimate reference beyond doubt is to Christ's final coming.

‏ Romans 8:23

23. And not only they, but ourselves also--or "not only [so], but even we ourselves"--that is, besides the inanimate creation.

which have the first-fruits of the Spirit--or, "the Spirit as the first-fruits" of our full redemption (compare 2Co 1:22), moulding the heart to a heavenly frame and attempering it to its future element.

even we ourselves--though we have so much of heaven already within us.

groan within ourselves--under this "body of sin and death," and under the manifold "vanity and vexation of spirit" that are written upon every object and every pursuit and every enjoyment under the sun.

waiting for the--manifestation of our

adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body--from the grave: "not (be it observed) the deliverance of ourselves from the body, but the redemption of the body itself from the grave" [Bengel].

‏ Ephesians 1:14

14. earnest--the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22).

until--rather, "Unto the redemption," &c.; joined thus, "ye were sealed (Ep 1:13) unto," that is, for the purpose of and against, the accomplishment of "the redemption," namely, not the redemption in its first stage, made by the blood of Christ, which secures our title, but, in its final completion, when the actual possession shall be ours, the full "redemption of the body" (Ro 8:23), as well as of the soul, from every infirmity (Ep 4:30). The deliverance of the creature (the body, and the whole visible creation) from the bondage of corruption, and from the usurping prince of this world, into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Ro 8:21-23; 2Pe 3:13).

of the purchased possession--God's people purchased ("acquired," Greek) as His peculiar (Greek) possession by the blood of Christ (Ac 20:28). We value highly that which we pay a high price for; so God, His Church (Ep 5:25, 26; 1Pe 1:18; 2:9; "my special treasure," Mal 3:17, Margin).

‏ Ephesians 4:30

30. grieve not--A condescension to human modes of thought most touching. Compare "vexed His Holy Spirit" (Is 63:10; Psa 78:40); "fretted me" (Eze 16:43: implying His tender love to us); and of hardened unbelievers, "resist the Holy Ghost" (Ac 7:51). This verse refers to believers, who grieve the Spirit by inconsistencies such as in the context are spoken of, corrupt or worthless conversation, &c.

whereby ye are sealed--rather, "wherein (or 'in whom') ye were sealed." As in Ep 1:13, believers are said to be sealed "in" Christ, so here "in the Holy Spirit," who is one with Christ, and who reveals Christ in the soul: the Greek implies that the sealing was done already once for all. It is the Father "BY" whom believers, as well as the Son Himself, were sealed (Joh 6:27). The Spirit is represented as itself the seal (Ep 1:13, for the image employed, see on Ep 1:13). Here the Spirit is the element IN which the believer is sealed, His gracious influences being the seal itself.

unto--kept safely against the day of redemption, namely, of the completion of redemption in the deliverance of the body as well as the soul from all sin and sorrow (Ep 1:14; Lu 21:28; Ro 8:23).