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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 4:8 - 4:8
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Eph 4:8. Λεγει, he says) David, nay, rather God Himself, Psalms 68 :(19) 20, ἀνέβης εἰς ὓψος, ἠχμαλώτευσας αἰχμαλωσίαν· ἔλαβες δόματα ἐν ἀνθρώπῳ. Some also in the LXX. read ἀναβάς. But in the version of the LXX. that reading is generally inferior, which too closely agrees with the text of the New Testament, because it has been (probably) made to be in conformity to it.-ὕψος, on high) So the heavens are called in Hebrew poetry; likewise in Isa 32:15.-ἠχμαλώτευσε αἰχμαλωσίαν, led captivity captive) A frequent repetition; for example, 2Ch 28:5. Here the forces of hell are denoted, 2Pe 2:4, that are opposed to men. Christ, at His ascension, led them captive; nor, however, does it fare the better for that reason with the malefactor, who is to be tried for his life, when he is led from prison to the forum or court of justice. This leading captive did not interfere with their condition in hell; [it gave them no respite from torment.] If ever there had been for them any hope of escape, that would have been the time; comp. ch. Eph 6:12, and Col 2:15. Nor does every ascension, but only the ascension which has captivity taken captive joined with it, presuppose and infer a descent into the lower parts of the earth.-ἔδωκε δόματα, He gave gifts) To this expression may be referred He gave, Eph 4:11, and is given, and of the gift, Eph 4:7. In Hebrew, לקחת is an abbreviated expression; to wit, Christ received gifts, which He might immediately give. Comp. לקח, Gen 15:9 [“Take me an heifer,” abbreviated for, Take and sacrifice to me]; 2Ki 2:20; where sudden action is denoted by a concise expression; so λαβέτωσάν σοι, Exo 27:20; Lev 24:2.-τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, for men) The dative of advantage for באדם. Gifts are of advantage, not only to those who receive them, but to all.