Passage
who also has sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1:22 (DBY)
Nearby Context
2 Corinthians 1:20 For whatever promises of God [there are], in him is the yea, and in him the amen, for glory to God by us.
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, [is] God,
2 Corinthians 1:22 who also has sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1:23 But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.
2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Study Lenses
The verse centers on "Spirit", "sealed", "given", "earnest", and "hearts". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "sealed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The nearby context moves from verse 21's "Now he that establishes us with you..." into verse 23's "But I call God to witness upon...", so "Spirit" and "sealed" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "sealed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.