# General Information:

Paul was speaking in the previous two verses about himself and the other Jewish believers, but now he begins speaking about the Ephesian believers.

# were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit

Wax was placed on a letter and stamped with a symbol representing the person who wrote the letter. Paul uses this custom as a picture to show how God has used the Holy Spirit to assure us that we belong to him. AT: "God has sealed you with the Holy Spirit that he promised" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# the guarantee of our inheritance

Receiving what God has promised is spoken of as though one inherits property or wealth from a family member. AT: "the guarantee that we will receive what God has promised" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])