5:5 What does the word "earnest" (KJV) mean?
5:5 What does the word "earnest" (KJV) mean?
Earnest means guarantee, pledge, deposit. It is used in the New Testament figuratively of the Holy Spirit which God has given to believers in this present life to assure them of their future resurrection and eternal inheritance in Christ (CP Ro 8:23; 2Cor 1:20-22; Eph 1:9-14; 1Pe1:1-5).
"This very thing" in 2Cor 5:5 is the resurrection body referred to in V1-4 (CP V1-4). Believers must never forget though in the light of what we learned in 4:16-18, that part of the process of preparation for the future resurrection and eternal inheritance in Christ, is participation in present suffering (CP 4:16-18 with Ro 8:16-18).
This is not to say that every believer will be called upon to suffer what Paul suffered for Christ, but they must be prepared to do so if need be (CP Mt 10:37-39; Mk 8:34-38; Lu 14:33-35; Jn 12:25-26).
See also comments on 2Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:11-14; 1Jn 5:10-13.