Ephesians 4:9 (DRB)

Passage

Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Nearby Context

Ephesians 4:7 But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men.

Ephesians 4:9 Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "ascended", "descended", "first", "lower", "parts", and "earth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "ascended" and "descended", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Wherefore he saith Ascending on high he..." into verse 10's "He that descended is the same also...", so "ascended" and "descended" belong inside that flow. In Ephesians context, the local focus is grace, union with Christ, the church, and new creation.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "ascended" and "descended" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.