Ephesians 4:7-8
What is written? (ESV)
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’
What does it say?
Each one of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. As such, the Psalmist says that when He ascended on high, He led a host of captives and gave gifts to men.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is turning to urge the brethren to be unified and to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” to which they were called (vs 1). He is encouraging them to do so humbly and in love (vs 2), proving his point by quoting from Psalms 68:18. Paul goes on to explain in vss 9-10, “In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”In the Psalm, David actually writes, “The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.” (vss 17-18)
How Ephesians 4:7-8 is applied across Bible answers
Must a New Testament writer always quote in context?
Paul quotes a psalm of David and applies it to Christ.
In the original context of Psalm 68, David is speaking of God the Father and actually says that God was "...receiving gifts of men." Paul not only applies this to Christ, but in so doing, changes it to, "he gave gifts to men."
