Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"(Now this, 'He ascended'- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower part of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all thing.)"
Text: Ephesians 4:9-10
THE FOCUS OF PAUL
The obvious focus of the apostle Paul in this text is to emphasise the ascent of Christ, rather than to introduce speculative theology. The arguments are wonderfully uplifting:-
1. The text from Psalm 68:18 speaks of the Ascent of the victorious Messiah. No descent is even hinted at!
2. Paul sought to explain the Ascent of the Lord Jesus Christ in Ephesians 4:9-10
His reference to His Descent was used only as a contrast to His Ascent
There was no focus on His “descent” at all.
THE ONE WHO ASCENDED FAR ABOVE ALL THE HEAVENS
It is important to note the language that Paul used here. What did He mean that He ascended far above all heavens? Are we to speculate that there is something “above all the heavens”? Of course not! In the same way, there is no need to read beyond what Paul said in the following phrase, “He descended into the lower parts of the earth”.
The two phrases are best seen when contrasted.
He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth…
He…ascended far above the heavens…
EPHESIANS 4:9-10
1. Figure of speech
Paul used figures of speech very freely in his letters. We have every reason to believe that he used figures of speech here.
2. Speculative theology frowned upon
Paul always wrote about how the Lord revealed great truths (mysteries) to him. It would be most out of character for him to delve into speculative theology at any time.
THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS
This is another difficult phrase to fully comprehend. We are reminded of what Paul wrote earlier on the subject of “fullness”.
He… gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
EPHESIANS 1:22-23
Fullness is a concept that is almost impossible for finite creatures to understand. The gist is that Christ’s victory is so full and complete, that it fills the highest heaven!