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God has given his grace to each one of us measured out by the gift that is given by Christ. That’s why scripture says, When he climbed up to the heights, he captured prisoners, and he gave gifts to people.[a]

What does the phrase “he climbed up” mean if it doesn’t mean that he had first gone down into the lower regions, the earth?

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But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(D)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](E)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

But (A)grace was given (B)to each one of us (C)according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says,

(D)“When he ascended on high (E)he led a host of captives,
    and he gave gifts to men.”[a]

((F)In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into (G)the lower regions, the earth?[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
  2. Ephesians 4:9 Or the lower parts of the earth?

Spiritual Gifts

But (A)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

(B)“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

(C)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [a]first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:9 NU omits first