2 Corinthians 5:5

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

τοῦ who G3588
τοῦ who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 16
but, and, etc
κατεργασάμενος he that hath wrought G2716
κατεργασάμενος he that hath wrought
Strong's: G2716
Word #: 3 of 16
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
ἡμᾶς us G2248
ἡμᾶς us
Strong's: G2248
Word #: 4 of 16
us
εἰς for G1519
εἰς for
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 5 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αὐτὸ G846
αὐτὸ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 6 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦτο the selfsame thing G5124
τοῦτο the selfsame thing
Strong's: G5124
Word #: 7 of 16
that thing
θεός is God G2316
θεός is God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 8 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ who G3588
τοῦ who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 10 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δοὺς hath given G1325
δοὺς hath given
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 11 of 16
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἡμῖν unto us G2254
ἡμῖν unto us
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 12 of 16
to (or for, with, by) us
τοῦ who G3588
τοῦ who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀῤῥαβῶνα the earnest G728
ἀῤῥαβῶνα the earnest
Strong's: G728
Word #: 14 of 16
a pledge, i.e., part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest
τοῦ who G3588
τοῦ who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος of the Spirit G4151
πνεύματος of the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 16 of 16
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

Analysis & Commentary

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God—The verb katergasamenos (κατεργασάμενος, aorist participle of κατεργάζομαι) means "accomplished, prepared, fashioned for a purpose." God has specifically created and prepared believers (eis auto touto, εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, "for this very thing")—immortal glorification. This is no afterthought but God's original design, disrupted by sin yet restored in Christ.

Who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit—Arrabōna (ἀρραβῶνα, "down payment, pledge, earnest") was a commercial term for the first installment guaranteeing full payment. The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee of our coming glorification (Ephesians 1:13-14). We already taste resurrection life through the Spirit's indwelling (Romans 8:11). Paul grounds confidence not in human achievement but in God's completed work and His binding promise. The Spirit's presence proves God will finish what He started.

Historical Context

The "earnest" (arrabōn) was a Semitic loanword in Greek commerce, denoting legally binding first payment. Paul democratizes this commercial metaphor—every believer, not just apostles, possesses God's down payment. The Spirit's work in the present age is both foretaste and guarantee of the age to come, bridging "already" and "not yet."

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