Ephesians 4:8 (NKJV)
Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
Bible Commentary
Ephesians 4:8 is a Bible verse from the New Testament where the Apostle Paul is reinforcing the truth of the great victory Jesus won for us when He took captivity captive, so we could be free.
Man has lived in captivity to the lusts of his flesh, the sin of mankind, for ages. The result of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Our souls have been captive to Satan’s lies and rule of the earth ever since the curse back in the Garden of Eden.
The definition of “captive” is: held under control of another but having the appearance of independence; owned or controlled by another.
That is a frightening truth, but we have been held under control of the devil’s authority on earth and the same selfish desires that Eve fell victim to—captivity.
That captivity has resulted in the degeneration of our bodies. They decay in age and eventually die. The captivity Ephesians 4:8 speaks of has also kept our minds buried deeply beneath the weight of Satan’s lies.
Receive the Gifts of Christ
It is important for us to know what we’ve been captive to, so we can understand what Jesus Christ has done and in turn receive His gifts.
Before Jesus ascended on high, Ephesians 4:9-10 says, “(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)”
Before Jesus took His rightful place on the throne at the right hand of God, He first went down to the very depths of Hell where our souls and bodies were held captive by the devil’s spiritual authority, and He punished Satan and his armies.
Colossians 2:15 says, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”
The devil was beaten, and beaten badly. God the Father severely stripped Satan of his tools and authority over the earth when Jesus died for us on the cross, descended into Hell to punish him and then rose from the grave, leaving the tomb empty.
Unlocking the Truth – A Righteous Reflection
The devil was furious because he was shamed before the whole world in this humiliating loss to Jesus Christ. When Jesus was being tortured and killed, Satan thought he was winning, but instead he endured a huge defeat, and the cross is the everlasting public display of that loss.
Ever since then, the devil has been trying to deflect his humiliation, anger and fear upon us. Every emotion of shame, fear and anger we’ve ever had was generated from Satan’s own reflection.
· He is the one who is afraid.
· He is the one who is ashamed.
· He is the one who is furious.
Not us. We have a new countenance, a new soul and body—that of Jesus Christ. The devil has tried desperately to deceive us into accepting his countenance, when in fact we have a new countenance, soul and body in Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
A Righteous Reflection
You now have a righteous reflection in Jesus Christ!
Ephesians 4:8 says, “he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.” The most amazing gift He has ever given us is the Holy Spirit, which births within us a holy countenance, pure mind and a revived body and spirit.
Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Oh, if we only believe. Believe and receive.
Study the Bible verse of Ephesians 4:8, and receive the freedom and abundant life you have in Jesus Christ.
