2 Corinthians 5:5

Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave us the earnest of the Spirit.

Other references of the apostle to the "earnest" of the Holy Spirit are in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:13. The meaning of "earnest" is exactly that of the word as used by realtors in sealing the purchase of a piece of property. It is a token, or pledge, that the whole contractual price will be paid. The application is that through God's impartation of the Holy Spirit (in token measure) to all who are baptized into Christ, there is a pledge of the total redemption God promised to them that believe and obey his word. Some have taken this "gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38), or "Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13), as it is called, for a promise of direct guidance of his children on the part of God, without regard to the sacred scriptures; but, of course, this is the grossest error. In any language, a "token" may not be misconstrued as the full possession of God's gracious gift of the Spirit. Evidence of possession of this gift is found in the manifestation of the fruits mentioned in Galatians 5:22.