Ephesians 4:8 Why he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. I. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST SECURED AND DECLARED HIS TRIUMPH. 1. The glory of Christ was foreshadowed by the triumphal procession of Jehovah to Zion. (1) The captives of the Lord of salvation: the redeemed; sin; death; Satan. (2) The riches of the Lord of salvation: gifts, not of gold, etc., but of spiritual life, endowment, and reward. 2. The descent and ascension of Christ reveal the universal character of His triumph. There is no sphere of the universe He did not enter, and there is nothing that remains unaffected by His influence. II. THE GIFTS CONFERRED UPON CHRISTIANS AND EXERCISED IN THE CHURCH ARE A PORTION OF THE GLORY OF THE ASCENDED LORD. Instead of fretting at the manifold distinctions of the Christian ministry, we ought to look upon these as showing forth the unspeakable fulness and glory of Jesus Christ. The varied functions of the ministry, and the private gifts of the membership, are signs not of weakness, but of all-conquering power, and they all emanate from the one Lord. The rich variety of nature is surpassed by the more significant and glorious variety of grace. (A. E. Muir, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.WEB: Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." |
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