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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Ephesians 4:8 - 4:8
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Wherefore he saith; the psalmist.
When he; Christ, God manifested in the flesh: and then what was spoken by the psalmist prophetically in the second person, is spoken by the apostle historically in the third.
Ascended up on high; Christ ascended up on high after his death, both as to place, in his human nature, into heaven; and chiefly as to his state, in his being glorified.
He led captivity captive; either led those captive who had taken us captive, or rather led them captive whom he had taken captive;
captivity being here put for captives, as elsewhere poverty for poor, 2Ki_24:14. This Christ did when, having conquered sin, death, Satan, he triumphed gloriously over them in his ascension, Col_2:15. It is spoken with allusion to conquering princes or generals, who in their triumphs had their captives attending upon their chariots.
And gave gifts unto men; he alludes in this likewise to the custom of conquerors casting money among the people that were the spectators of their triumphs, or giving largesses to their soldiers. Christ upon his ascension sent the Holy Ghost on the disciples, Act_2:1-47, and continues ever since to furnish his church with gifts and graces: see on Psa_68:18.