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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 4:9 - 4:9
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Eph 4:9. Τὸ δὲ, ἀνέβη, Now this fact, namely, that He ascended) Paul proves that the language of the psalm is to be referred to Christ; and the ascension is inferred from the descent; Joh 3:13. All beheld the sojourn of the Son of God upon the earth: they ought, from this fact, to have believed His ascension, which they did not see. There is a similar mode of reasoning at Act 2:29, etc., Act 13:36-37; and especially at Heb 2:8-9. The humble characteristics predicated of the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus; therefore the glorious things also predicated of the Messiah ought to be referred to Him.-κατέβη πρῶτον, He first descended) Paul takes for granted the Deity of Christ; for those who are of the earth, although they did not previously descend, obtain the privilege of ascent.-εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς) not merely to the earth itself, but to the lowest parts of the earth [so that through all its depths nothing did He leave unvisited; comp. Eph 4:10.-V.g.] The highest heavens, or all the heavens, are opposed to the lowest parts of the earth, or to all parts of the earth. Christ, by His own power, took possession of all,-first of the earth, then of heaven. Men are joined with the mention of the earth; the captivity is joined with the mention of the lower parts.-τῆς γῆς, of the earth) in which men are.