“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.’ (Now this, ‘He ascended’ – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:7-10.

The verses in Ephesians 4:7-10 above have all been shown together to maintain context. However Ephesians 4:7-8 was posted here on 5-31-21.

This post will be concerned with Ephesians 4:9-10 only.

These verses are parenthetical which means in this case that they are meant as a clarification of verses seven and eight (things within parenthesis usually do clarify or supplement) they were put there by the original author.

Try to watch for statements which are enclosed with (parenthesis) because they can be confusing if not recognized.

Do not confuse brackets with (parenthesis) which are part of a quotation. Brackets are added remarks, not in the original text, to clarify something within the quote [see below for an example].

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [Jesus] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

The passage below is entirely within parenthesis.

“(Now this, ‘He ascended’ – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:9-10.

It is simple logic that God the Son had to have descended down from heaven to get to earth. In this case as you probably know it was by being born of a virgin named Mary.

Speaking to a man named Nicodemus who came to Him by night, Jesus said the following.

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” John 3:13.

Jesus tells us here that He did indeed descend from heaven, but notice another interesting thought. As stated the study of Ephesians 4:7-8, posted on 5-31-21 folks who had died in faith before Jesus died on the cross did not immediately go to heaven but rather were taken to Paradise.

And Jesus told Nicodemus here that, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven…”

Some commentators say that Ephesians 4:9b means that Jesus came down from heaven to live on earth “…but that He also descended…”

Their thinking is that it means that Jesus came from heaven, to live among the dregs of earth, “the lower parts of the earth…” But that is not what it says is it?

This phrase must be taken as it is entirely, “…but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth…” Ephesians 4:9b.

Jesus did not just come down from heaven to live on earth (as we saw in John 3:13), but He also descended into the lower parts of the earth.

“Therefore, [King David] being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:30-32.

Jesus entered Paradise between His death and resurrection as He foretold earlier in His ministry.

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40.

When the thief on the cross next to Jesus called out to Him, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42b; Jesus’ reply was as follows.

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43b.

That hell, (aka Hades) and paradise are beneath the earth is also confirmed in other verses.

Perhaps a summation of verse nine could be done in the following manner. Verse nine explains the how of verse eight, verse ten will give us the who.

“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:8.

“(Now this, ‘He ascended’ – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?)” Ephesians 4:9.

Verse nine then, is clarifying verse eight by explaining that Jesus had to have descended into Paradise after His crucifixion in order to have ascended to heaven. This also infers that He could not have descended without dying first and in doing so paying for the sin of the world.

If He had not done this first He would not have vanquished the enemy, Satan and led him and his fallen angels captive in the humiliating parade before the angelic hosts of heaven and before God the Father.

Nor could He have released the godly people captive in Paradise because Christ’s blood had to be shed to make the way into heaven. These godly men and women would most likely have been the celebrants following along in this parade.

Verse ten will now give us the who that leads “…captivity captive.”

“(He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:10.

We have already seen that it is Jesus who came down from heaven as a sacrifice for sin and descended into the lower parts of the earth and that it is He who led captivity captive in triumph.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

“Him [Jesus], being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” Acts 2:23-24.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name…” Philippians 2:8-9.

“And He [Jesus] is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him [Jesus] to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:17-20.

And in Jesus’ last words recorded in the book of Matthew, some of the most important instructions given to the church.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ‘Amen.’” Matthew 28:18b-20.

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified [set apart].” Hebrews 10:12-14.

Christ’s Church, Ephesians 4:9-10 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 2-19-16, updated on 6-5-21.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.