Ephesians 4:8–10

Context

Ephesians is traditionally regarded as a letter from Paul to the churches of Asia Minor, although some modern scholars take a different view of its authorship. Chapter 4 opens with an exhortation to keep "the unity of the Spirit." Ephesians 4:7 states that grace has been given to each one "according to the measure of the gift of Christ," and this passage cites Psalm 68:18 in support of that statement. The verses that follow, Ephesians 4:11–16, identify that "gift" as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, who are charged with building up the church. The passage thus serves as a bridge in the argument that the ascended Christ bestows gifts and offices on the church.

Interpretation

The most debated question is what verse 9 means by the descent "into the lower parts of the earth."

• Descent into hell: Many Church Fathers, medieval interpreters, and the Roman Catholic tradition have read the phrase as referring to Christ's descent after his death into the realm of the dead (Hades). Together with 1 Peter 3:18–20 and 4:6, it is cited as a basis for the confession in the Apostles' Creed that he "descended into hell."
• Incarnation: This reading takes "the lower parts of the earth" to mean "the lower parts, namely the earth," and understands the phrase as referring to the Incarnation and humiliation of Christ, who came down from heaven to earth. Many Protestant commentators since the Reformation have adopted this reading.
• Descent of the Holy Spirit: Some modern scholars read the passage as referring to the ascended Christ coming down again through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to bestow gifts.

The phrase "he led captivity captive" is commonly interpreted to mean that Christ triumphed over the powers of evil and returned in victory. There is, however, an older interpretation holding that Christ led the Old Testament saints out of Hades.

Debates and Issues

• Difference in the psalm citation: Psalm 68:18 reads "thou hast received gifts for men," whereas Ephesians quotes it as "gave gifts unto men." Some scholars connect this difference to the Aramaic interpretive tradition of Judaism at the time, while others explain it as meaning that what was received was in turn distributed.
• Manuscript question: Some manuscripts are reported to include the word "first" in verse 9. Its presence makes it clearer that the descent preceded the ascent.
• Relationship to the Apostles' Creed: The translation of the Apostles' Creed widely used in Korean Protestantism is reported to omit the clause on the descent into hell. Interpreters therefore differ on whether this passage should be regarded as a basis for that confession.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, the passage is cited alongside Ephesians 4:11–16 in sermons on the Ascension and in Bible studies explaining spiritual gifts and church offices.

Related Passages

• Psalm 68:18
• 1 Peter 3:18–20
• John 3:13
• Ephesians 4:11–13
• John 16:7