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Therefore, it says:

“He ascended[a] on high and took prisoners captive;
    he gave gifts to men.”(A)

What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:8–10 While the emphasis is on an ascension and gift-giving by Christ, there is also a reference in taking prisoners captive to the aeons and powers mentioned at Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12.

This is why it[a] says:

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

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(C) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(D)

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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