Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:9

What does Ephesians 4:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:9 means

Paul pauses to unpack the implication of “He ascended.” Ascension presumes a prior descent “into the lower parts of the earth.” At minimum, this speaks of Christ’s real humiliation—His coming down from glory to the realm of death and the grave. He truly took our low place before He took His high place. This descent assures us that the victorious Giver of gifts is the same Savior who fully entered our condition. He did not win from afar. He descended to lift us up. That movement—down, then up—shapes Christian ministry: suffering precedes glory, service precedes honor, death precedes life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

(Now this, He went up, what is it but that he first went down into the lower parts of the earth?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and that, he went up, what is it except that he also went down first to the lower parts of the earth?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Context

This parenthesis (verses 9–10) explains the ascent imagery of verse 8. It roots Christ’s right to give gifts in His full redemptive journey—descent and ascent. By highlighting both, Paul guards against any notion of a distant, uninvolved Christ. The explanation prepares for verse 10’s emphasis that the same person who descended now reigns over all. With that established, Paul will resume the main line in verse 11 by listing the gifted leaders Christ gave to equip the church.

v.8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.

v.9This passage

v.10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 30:4

    Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?

  • Hebrews 2:7

    Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

  • John 6:38

    For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • John 6:58

    This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.

  • Psalms 63:9

    But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

  • Psalms 8:5

    For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.

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