The verb translated “to make sad” can have the less specific meaning “to irritate.” The use of this verb with the object God’s Holy Spirit is rather striking; an offense against a fellow believer is an offense against the Holy Spirit, who gives unity and peace to the body (compare 4.3). In some languages the equivalent of making someone sad is “to cause them to cry,” and therefore the first part of verse 30 may be translated as “do not make God’s Holy Spirit cry.”

Good News Translation does not necessarily indicate that using harmful words against a fellow believer is the thing that causes sadness to God’s Holy Spirit. Some translations have tried to make that relationship clear with expressions such as “If you do use harmful words, it will make God’s Holy Spirit sad. Do not do it.” Or else “Don’t make God’s Holy Spirit sad by using harmful words.” Notice also Jerusalem Bible: “Otherwise you will only be grieving the Holy Spirit of God….”

The Greek “in (or, by) whom you were sealed” (Revised Standard Version) makes use of the same Greek verb that is used in the same kind of context in 1.13. This “seal” is a guarantee of the final and complete redemption; the Greek is simply “unto the day of redemption” (see Revised Standard Version).

It may be difficult to speak of God’s Spirit as being a mark of ownership indicating that the believer belongs to God. A mark of ownership may mean only something which is stamped upon some material possession. It may therefore be more appropriate to translate for the Spirit is God’s mark of ownership on you as “for if you possess God’s Spirit, that shows that you belong to God.”

In a number of languages there is nothing corresponding exactly to guarantee. However, the last part of verse 30 may be translated as “if this is so, then you may be certain that the Day will come….”

Though it seems perfectly appropriate to speak in English of “a day coming,” in many languages this is impossible. Therefore, the Day will come may need to be restructured as “there will be a time” or “there will be a day.”

The whole clause could be rendered, “by whom you are kept secure until the Day of (complete/final) salvation.” For “salvation” see 1.7, 14.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1982. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .