Ephesians 4:8

[Pamelasv]

"When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.

What is 'He led captive a host of captives?' Really tired of ignoring that one.

[By Faith]

"When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.

What is 'He led captive a host of captives?' Really tired of ignoring that one.

 

 

 

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

(Eph 4:8-9)

 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 

(1Pe 3:18-19)

 

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

(Heb 2:15)

 

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

(Rev 1:18)

 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

(1Co 15:55)

 

 

Paul here is using the expression that Jesus took what was captive to the fear of bondage and death, and He himself took that bondage and fear into captivity unto Himself. 

 

Jesus went to hell and preached to the spirits there, brought many out of the grave which were seen and delivered us from the fear of death by which we were afraid of at one time. Death has no more sting for us, no more victory over us.

 

What was once captive, Jesus took that and made it captive unto himself. 

 

Blessings.

 

 

[Pamelasv]

Now that very interesting, that translation. Which is it? I use nasb, which I know had great reviews. No translation is perfect of course, but the nasb is most literal, it would seem to be have to translated that way, but yet the version you used (kjv?) Caused to to make sense, assuming King James knew what he was doing.

[Guest shiloh357]

This is not about Jesus going to hell.   Jesus did not go to hell.    Eph. 4:8  needs to be understood the way Paul meant for it to be understood.   Paul is quoting from Psalms 68:18.  It has nothing to do with hell.  The 68th Psalm is celebrating the placing of the Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Zion.   Paul is using that as an analogy for Jesus' victory.   Jesus did not win His victory in Hell.   He won His victory on the cross.    You don't want to push the analogy too far.   Jesus is pictured as a triumphant warrior and he is giving gifts to  men.  Namely, it is referring to Christ bestowing the Holy Spirit.  

[missmuffet]

This is not about Jesus going to hell.   Jesus did not go to hell.    Eph. 4:8  needs to be understood the way Paul meant for it to be understood.   Paul is quoting from Psalms 68:18.  It has nothing to do with hell.  The 68th Psalm is celebrating the placing of the Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Zion.   Paul is using that as an analogy for Jesus' victory.   Jesus did not win His victory in Hell.   He won His victory on the cross.    You don't want to push the analogy too far.   Jesus is pictured as a triumphant warrior and he is giving gifts to  men.  Namely, it is referring to Christ bestowing the Holy Spirit.  

[Kan]

Paul mentions himself as a servant or captive of Christ. 

 

When Peter was asked if he would leave Christ, he said Lord we have no where else to go.

Jesus was their home and comfort zone. They were captives of Christ, in the same sense that a war lord releases prisoners of another country to be his own freed captives. Marching them away, in victory to be his servants in the new kingdom.

 

We find that at the resurrection of Christ the graves were opened and many arose to life - probably at least 10,000 according to Enoch's preaching - see Jude.

These saints would be with Christ until He returns with them to earth.

 

These people represent the "first fruits" of the harvest for God, samples of the great harvest when Christ raises all those who placed their hope and trust in Him.

[Marilyn C]

In Jude we read -

 

`Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam prophesied about these men (ungodly) also, saying, " Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment on all,......` (Jude 14)

 

This is referring to -

 

`The Lord came from Sinai, & dawned on them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran, & He came with ten thousands of holy ones; from His right hand came a fiery law for them...` (Deut. 33: 2)

 

This is all explained in the Psalms -

 

`...the chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy place.` (ps. 68: 17) These are the angelic host & not the Body of Christ. Now notice the next few verses -

 

`You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts of men,....` (Ps. 68: 18)

 

`When He ascended on high he led captivity captive, & gave gifts of men.`  (Eph. 4: 8)

 

`...He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, & some pastors & teachers, for the equipping of the saints...` (Eph. 4: 11 & 12)

 

Thus we see Pamelasv, that Christ gave ascension ministry gifts of men who would equip the Body of Christ to do the work of the ministry. This doesn`t mean we would see them as great TV personalities, but as `nobodies` as Paul was working away inputting into other`s lives.

 

Blessings, Marilyn.

 

PS. I believe the `captivity captive,` are those mentioned in Hebrews ch. 11 who were believing God & accounted righteous but had to wait till Jesus` sacrifice actually covered their sin & they were free from captivity.

Edited April 29, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Matthew T.]

In Jude we read -

 

`Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam prophesied about these men (ungodly) also, saying, " Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment on all,......` (Jude 14)

 

This is referring to -

 

`The Lord came from Sinai, & dawned on them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran, & He came with ten thousands of holy ones; from His right hand came a fiery law for them...` (Deut. 33: 2)

 

This is all explained in the Psalms -

 

`...the chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy place.` (ps. 68: 17) These are the angelic host & not the Body of Christ. Now notice the next few verses -

 

`You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts of men,....` (Ps. 68: 18)

 

`When He ascended on high he led captivity captive, & gave gifts of men.`  (Eph. 4: 8)

 

`...He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, & some pastors & teachers, for the equipping of the saints...` (Eph. 4: 11 & 12)

 

Thus we see Pamelasv, that Christ gave ascension ministry gifts of men who would equip the Body of Christ to do the work of the ministry. This doesn`t mean we would see them as great TV personalities, but as `nobodies` as Paul was working away inputting into other`s lives.

 

Blessings, Marilyn.

 

PS. I believe the `captivity captive,` are those mentioned in Hebrews ch. 11 who were believing God & accounted righteous but had to wait till Jesus` sacrifice actually covered their sin & they were free from captivity.

 

Ms. Pamela,

 

I too prefer the NASB. It IS the most "literally accurate" of the  English translations and versions, even if the English language is a Volkswagon compared to the Rolls Royce of Hebrew. (wink)

 

The were many Old Testament Saints that needed to hear the message of Jesus because His sacrifice had not been made available for them. however, they were waiting on Him (gathered unto their fathers) because their faith had been accounted them as righteousness...

Edited April 29, 2015 by Matthew T.

[traveller]

I love this thread!

[Littlelambseativy]

Jesus said to the thief on the cross 'today you shall be with Me in Paradise' remember paradise and Hades/ Sheol were visible to one another - as Lazarus and the rich man - so Jesus did show Himself to the fallen angels chained in'hell' and when He rose He took Paradise with Him to Heaven so those who die now do not go to paradise their spirit goes to heaven.