In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
In whom ye also - ye Gentiles. Supply "trusted" or 'hoped' [the simple verb taken out of the compound proeelpikotas (G4276)] from Ephesians 1:12. The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ. Ellicott, 'In whom ye too having heard, etc.-in whom (I say), having also believed, ye were sealed,' making "were sealed" the verb of the first "ye." But the "also" before "believed" supposes the 'hoped' as having preceded: 'in whom ye too hoped-in (union to) whom having also believed,' (as well as 'hoped, etc.) The Gentiles had a vague hope of a Deliverer before Christ's coming (Haggai 2:7); a more vivid hope when hearing the report of Christ (Matthew 15:26-27; Acts 13:42; Acts 13:46); they believed also when they "heard" the Gospel "word" preached; then, finally, they were "sealed" by the Spirit: baptism and laying on of hands were the visible signs.
The word of truth - the instrument of sanctification and of the new birth (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; James The word of truth - the instrument of sanctification and of the new birth (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Compare Colossians 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with 'hope.' Also Ephesians 4:21, not mere legal types, but the truth (John 1:17).
The gospel of - which sets forth "your salvation."
Sealed - as God's confirmed children (Acts 19:1-6; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:23, note; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1 John 3:24). A seal on a document gives validity to the contract in it (John 3:33; John 6:27: cf. 2 Corinthians 3:3). So the sense of 'the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit' (Romans 5:5), and the adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration (Romans 8:15-16), assures believers of God's good-will. The Spirit, like the seal, impresses on the soul the image of our Father. The 'sealing' [esphragisthete: aorist] is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs (Ephesians 1:11), is the Spirit's present testimony, the 'earnest of the (coming) inheritance' (Romans 8:16-18).
That Holy Spirit of (given by) promise - Greek, 'The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit' (whose essence is holiness, and who therefore imparts it to God's children). The Spirit promised in the Old and New Testaments (Joel 2:28; Zechariah 12:10; John 7:38-39). "The word" promised the Holy Spirit. Those who believed "the word of truth" were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.