Ascended. The ascent of Jehovah is realized in Christ’s ascent into heaven.
Captivity. Abstract for the body of captwes. See on Luke iv. 18. The captives are not the redeemed, but the enemies of Christ’s kingdom, Satan, Sin, and Death. Compare on Col. ii. 15, and 2 Cor. ii. 14.
Gave. Inthe Hebrew and Septuagint, received or took ; but with the sense received in order to distribute among men. Com- pare Gen. xv. 9, take for me: xviii. 5, [will fetch for you: Exod. xxvii. 20, bring thee, i.e., take and present to thee: Acts ii. 38, “ Having recevved of the Father, etc., He hath shed forth.” Thus Paul interprets the received of the Old Testament. His point is the distribution of grace by Christ in varied measure to individuals. He confirms this by Scripture, seeing in the Jehovah of this Old-Testament passage the Christ of the New Testament—one Redeemer under both covenants—and apply- ing the Psalmist’s address to Christ who distributes the results
Cu. IV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 389
of His victory among His loyal subjects. These results are enumerated in ver. 11 sqq.
9. Now that He ascended. Vv. 9 and 10 are parenthet- ical, 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 ch. i. 28. Rev., properly, inserts ¢Azs, 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 («ai xaté8n). His ascent implies a previous descent. A.V. reads jirst, following the Tex. Rec. wpérov. Rev., correctly, He also descended. Compare John iii. 18.
The lower parts of the earth (ra xatwtepa pépn Tis yi). The under world. The reference is to Christ’s descent into Hades. Some give the words a comparative force, deeper than the earth.
10. Fill all things. Compare ch. i. 23. 11. The gifts specified.
He gave. Heisemphatic. It is He that gave. Compare given in ver. 7.
Apostles. Properly, as apostles, or to be apostles. Christ’s ministers are gifts to His people. Compare 1 Cor. iii. 5, “mén- esters as the Lord gave ;” also 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22. The distin- guishing features of an apostle were, a commission directly from Christ: being a witness of the resurrection: special in- spiration: supreme authority: accrediting by miracles: unlim- ited commission to preach and to found churches.
Prophets. Preachers and expounders under the immediate influence of the Spirit, and thus distinguished from teachers. 1 Corsi 0):
Evangelists. Travelling missionaries.
390 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
Pastors and teachers. Pastors or shepherds. The verb Troumaivo to tend as a shepherd, is often used in this sense. See on 1 Pet. v.2; Matt. ii. 6. The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class. The two belong together. No man is fit to be a pastor who cannot also teach, and the teacher needs the knowledge which pastoral experience gives.
12. For the perfecting (apos tov Katapticpov). Only here in the New Testament. In classical Greek of refitting a ship or setting a bone. The preposition for denotes the wltemate purpose. Ministering and building are means to this end. Hence its emphatic position in the sentence. For perfecting, see on mending, Matt. iv. 21; perfected, Matt. xxi. 16; Luke vi. 40; 1 Pet. v. 10. Compare 1 Cor. i. 10; Heb. xiii. 21. The radical idea of adjustment is brought out in ver. 13.
For the work of the ministry (e/s épyov Suaxovias). Reyv., much better, wnto the work of ministering. Eis unto, marks the immediate purpose of the gift. He gave apostles, etc., wnto the work of ministering and building, for the perfecting, ete. The prevailing sense of dvaxovia ministry, in the New Testa- ment, is spiritual service of an official character. See Acts i. 295 Vie 4, XXe 24 VOM. xin oes ly limetel 2a oe ines