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Selected Verse: Ephesians 4:9 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Eph 4:9	Strong Concordance	(Now [1161] that he ascended [305], what [5101] is it [2076] but [1508] that [3754] he [2597] also [2532] descended [2597] first [4412] into [1519] the lower [2737] parts [3313] of the earth [1093]?
	King James	(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Paul reasons that (assuming Him to be God) His ascent implies a previous descent; and that the language of the Psalm can only refer to Christ, who first descended, then ascended. For God the Father does not ascend or descend. Yet the Psalm plainly refers to God (Eph 4:8, Eph 4:17-18). It must therefore be GOD THE SON (Joh 6:33, Joh 6:62). As He declares (Joh 3:13), "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven." Others, though they did not previously descend, have ascended; but none save Christ can be referred to in the Psalm as having done so; for it is of God it speaks. lower parts of the earth--The antithesis or contrast to "far above all heavens," is the argument of ALFORD and others, to show that this phrase means more than simply the earth, namely, the regions beneath it, even as He ascended not merely to the visible heavens, but "far above" them. Moreover, His design "that He might fill all things" (Eph 4:10, Greek, "the whole universe of things") may imply the same. But see on Eph 4:10 on those words. Also the leading "captive" of the "captive hand" ("captivity") of satanic powers, may imply that the warfare reached to their habitation itself (Psa 63:9). Christ, as Lord of all, took possession first of the earth the unseen world beneath it (some conjecture that the region of the lost is in the central parts of our globe), then of heaven (Act 2:27-28). However, all we surely know is, that His soul at death descended to Hades, that is, underwent the ordinary condition of departed spirits of men. The leading captive of satanic powers here, is not said to be at His descent, but at His ascension; so that no argument can be drawn from it for a descent to the abodes of Satan. Act 2:27-28, and Rom 10:7, favor the view of the reference being simply to His descent to Hades. So PEARSON in Exposition of the Creed (Phi 2:10).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Paul reasons that (assuming Him to be God) His ascent implies a previous descent; and that the language of the Psalm can only refer to Christ, who first descended, then ascended. For God the Father does not ascend or descend. Yet the Psalm plainly refers to God (Eph 4:8, Eph 4:17-18). It must therefore be GOD THE SON (Joh 6:33, Joh 6:62). As He declares (Joh 3:13), "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven." Others, though they did not previously descend, have ascended; but none save Christ can be referred to in the Psalm as having done so; for it is of God it speaks.

lower parts of the earth--The antithesis or contrast to "far above all heavens," is the argument of ALFORD and others, to show that this phrase means more than simply the earth, namely, the regions beneath it, even as He ascended not merely to the visible heavens, but "far above" them. Moreover, His design "that He might fill all things" (Eph 4:10, Greek, "the whole universe of things") may imply the same. But see on Eph 4:10 on those words. Also the leading "captive" of the "captive hand" ("captivity") of satanic powers, may imply that the warfare reached to their habitation itself (Psa 63:9). Christ, as Lord of all, took possession first of the earth the unseen world beneath it (some conjecture that the region of the lost is in the central parts of our globe), then of heaven (Act 2:27-28). However, all we surely know is, that His soul at death descended to Hades, that is, underwent the ordinary condition of departed spirits of men. The leading captive of satanic powers here, is not said to be at His descent, but at His ascension; so that no argument can be drawn from it for a descent to the abodes of Satan. Act 2:27-28, and Rom 10:7, favor the view of the reference being simply to His descent to Hades. So PEARSON in Exposition of the Creed (Phi 2:10).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Now that he ascended - That is, it is affirmed in the Psalm that he "ascended" - "Thou hast ascended on high." This implies that there must have been a previous "descent;" or, as applicable to the Messiah, "it is a truth that he previously descended." It is by no means certain that Paul meant to say that the "word" "ascended" demonstrated that there must have been a previous descent; but he probably means that in the case of Christ there was, "in fact," a descent into the lower parts of the earth first. The language used here will appropriately express his descent to earth. Into the lower parts of the earth - To the lowest state of humiliation. This seems to be the fair meaning of the words. Heaven stands opposed to earth. One is above; the other is beneath. From the one Christ descended to the other; and he came not only to the earth, but he stooped to the most humble condition of humanity here; see Phi 2:6-8; compare notes on Isa 44:23. Some have understood this of the grave; others of the region of departed spirits; but these interpretations do not seem to be necessary. It is the "earth itself" that stands in contrast with the heavens; and the idea is, that the Redeemer descended from his lofty eminence in heaven, and became a man of humble rank and condition; compare Psa 139:15.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Now that He ascended Eph 4:9 and Eph 4:10 are parenthetical, showing what the ascension of Christ presupposes. By descending into the depths and ascending above all, He entered upon His function of filling the whole universe, in virtue of which function He distributes gifts to men. See Eph 1:23. Rev., properly, inserts this, thus giving the force of the article which calls attention to the fact of ascension alluded to in the quotation. "Now the or this 'He ascended."' What is it but What does it imply? Descended first (καὶ κατέβη) His ascent implies a previous descent. A.V. reads first, following the Tex. Rec. πρῶτον. Rev., correctly, He also descended. Compare Joh 3:13. The lower parts of the earth (τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς) The under world. The reference is to Christ's descent into Hades. Some give the words a comparative force, deeper than the earth.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Now this expression, He ascended, what is it, but that he descended - That is, does it not imply, that he descended first? Certainly it does, on the supposition of his being God. Otherwise it would not: since all the saints will ascend to heaven, though none of them descended thence. Into the lower parts of the earth - So the womb is called, Psa 139:15; the grave, Psa 63:9.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But that he also descended - The meaning of the apostle appears to be this: The person who ascended is the Messiah, and his ascension plainly intimates his descension; that is, his incarnation, humiliation, death, and resurrection.

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¹⁰ That [2443] at [1722] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424] every [3956] knee [1119] should bow [2578], of things in heaven [2032], and [2532] things in earth [1919], and [2532] things under the earth [2709];

⁷ Or [2228], Who [5101] shall descend [2597] into [1519] the deep [12]? (that is [5123], to bring up [321] Christ [5547] again [321] from [1537] the dead [3498].)

²⁷ Because [3754] thou wilt [1459] not [3756] leave [1459] my [3450] soul [5590] in [1519] hell [86], neither [3761] wilt thou suffer [1325] thine [4675] Holy One [3741] to see [1492] corruption [1312].
²⁸ Thou hast made known [1107] to me [3427] the ways [3598] of life [2222]; thou shalt make [4137] me [3165] full [4137] of joy [2167] with [3326] thy [4675] countenance [4383].

⁹ But those that seek [01245] my soul [05315], to destroy [07722] it, shall go [0935] into the lower parts [08482] of the earth [0776].

¹⁰ He [846] that descended [2597] is [2076] the same also [2532] that ascended up [305] far above [5231] all [3956] heavens [3772], that [2443] he might fill [4137] all things [3956].)

¹³ And [2532] no man [3762] hath ascended up [305] to [1519] heaven [3772], but [1508] he that came down [2597] from [1537] heaven [3772], even the Son [5207] of man [444] which [3588] is [5607] in [1722] heaven [3772].

⁶² What and [3767] if [1437] ye shall see [2334] the Son [5207] of man [444] ascend up [305] where [3699] he was [2258] before [4386]?

³³ For [1063] the bread [740] of God [2316] is he [2076] which [3588] cometh down [2597] from [1537] heaven [3772], and [2532] giveth [1325] life [2222] unto the world [2889].

¹⁷ This [5124] I say [3004] therefore [3767], and [2532] testify [3143] in [1722] the Lord [2962], that ye [5209] henceforth [3371] walk [4043] not [3371] as [2531] [2532] other [3062] Gentiles [1484] walk [4043], in [1722] the vanity [3153] of their [846] mind [3563],
¹⁸ Having the understanding [1271] darkened [4654], being [5607] alienated [526] from the life [2222] of God [2316] through [1223] the ignorance [52] that is [5607] in [1722] them [846], because [1223] of the blindness [4457] of their [846] heart [2588]:

⁸ Wherefore [1352] he saith [3004], When he ascended [305] up [1519] on high [5311], he led captivity [162] captive [161], and [2532] gave [1325] gifts [1390] unto men [444].

¹⁵ My substance [06108] was not hid [03582] from thee, when I was made [06213] in secret [05643], and curiously wrought [07551] in the lowest parts [08482] of the earth [0776].

²³ Sing [07442], O ye heavens [08064]; for the LORD [03068] hath done [06213] it: shout [07321], ye lower parts [08482] of the earth [0776]: break forth [06476] into singing [07440], ye mountains [02022], O forest [03293], and every tree [06086] therein: for the LORD [03068] hath redeemed [01350] Jacob [03290], and glorified [06286] himself in Israel [03478].

⁶ Who [3739], being [5225] in [1722] the form [3444] of God [2316], thought it [2233] not [3756] robbery [725] to be [1511] equal [2470] with God [2316]:
⁷ But [235] made [2758] himself [1438] of no reputation [2758], and took upon him [2983] the form [3444] of a servant [1401], and was made [1096] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of men [444]:
⁸ And [2532] being found [2147] in fashion [4976] as [5613] a man [444], he humbled [5013] himself [1438], and became [1096] obedient [5255] unto [3360] death [2288], even [1161] the death [2288] of the cross [4716].

²³ Which [3748] is [2076] his [846] body [4983], the fulness [4138] of him that filleth [4137] all [3956] in [1722] all [3956].

¹⁰ He [846] that descended [2597] is [2076] the same also [2532] that ascended up [305] far above [5231] all [3956] heavens [3772], that [2443] he might fill [4137] all things [3956].)

⁹ (Now [1161] that he ascended [305], what [5101] is it [2076] but [1508] that [3754] he [2597] also [2532] descended [2597] first [4412] into [1519] the lower [2737] parts [3313] of the earth [1093]?

⁹ But those that seek [01245] my soul [05315], to destroy [07722] it, shall go [0935] into the lower parts [08482] of the earth [0776].

¹⁵ My substance [06108] was not hid [03582] from thee, when I was made [06213] in secret [05643], and curiously wrought [07551] in the lowest parts [08482] of the earth [0776].