Ephesians 4:9
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
American King James Version (AKJV)
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
American Standard Version (ASV)
(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
(Now this, He went up, what is it but that he first went down into the lower parts of the earth?
Webster's Revision
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
World English Bible
Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
English Revised Version (ERV)
(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Clarke's Ephesians 4:9 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Ephesians 4:9 Bible Commentary
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 Philippians 2:6-8; compare notes on Isaiah 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 Psalm 139:15.
Wesley's Ephesians 4:9 Bible Commentary
4:9 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, Psalms 139:15 ; the grave, Psalms 63:9 .