Ephesians 4:10
New International Version
He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

New Living Translation
And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

English Standard Version
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Berean Standard Bible
He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Berean Literal Bible
The One having descended is also the same one having ascended above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.

King James Bible
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

New King James Version
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

New American Standard Bible
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

NASB 1995
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

NASB 1977
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Legacy Standard Bible
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

Amplified Bible
He who descended is the very same as He who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is, the whole universe]).

Christian Standard Bible
The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

American Standard Version
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Contemporary English Version
This also means that the one who went deep into the earth is the same one who went into the highest heaven, so he would fill the whole universe.

English Revised Version
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The one who had gone down also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything.

Good News Translation
So the one who came down is the same one who went up, above and beyond the heavens, to fill the whole universe with his presence.

International Standard Version
The one who went down is the same one who went up above all the heavens so that all things would be fulfilled.

Majority Standard Bible
He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

NET Bible
He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

New Heart English Bible
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

Weymouth New Testament
He who descended is the same as He who ascended again far above all the Heavens in order to fill the universe.)

World English Bible
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He who went down is the same who also went up far above all the heavens, that He may fill all things—

Berean Literal Bible
The One having descended is also the same one having ascended above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.

Young's Literal Translation
he who went down is the same also who went up far above all the heavens, that He may fill all things --

Smith's Literal Translation
He having descended is the same having ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill up all things.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.

New American Bible
The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

New Revised Standard Version
He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fulfil all things.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He who descended is the same who also ascended higher than all Heavens to restore all things.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He that descended is also he that ascended high above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

Godbey New Testament
But the one having descended and the one having ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things, is the same.

Haweis New Testament
He that descended is the same also, who ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

Mace New Testament
he that descended, is the same too that ascended far above all heavens, to perfect all things.

Weymouth New Testament
He who descended is the same as He who ascended again far above all the Heavens in order to fill the universe.)

Worrell New Testament
He Who descended is Himself also the One Who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

Worsley New Testament
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Unity in the Body
9What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. 11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,…

Cross References
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 1:16-20
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. / And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. ...

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

Acts 1:9-11
After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

John 6:62
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

1 Peter 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Romans 10:6-7
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) / or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Psalm 8:5-6
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. / You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:


Treasury of Scripture

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

ascended.

Ephesians 1:20-23
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, …

Acts 1:9,11
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

that he.

Ephesians 3:19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

John 1:16
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Acts 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

fill.

Matthew 24:34
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Luke 24:44
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

John 19:24,28,36
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did…

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Ephesians 4
1. He exhorts to unity;
7. and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11. that his church might be edified,
16. and grow up in Christ.
18. He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24. to put on the new man;
25. to cast off lying;
29. and corrupt communication.














He who descended
This phrase refers to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His incarnation and His descent to Earth. Theologically, it highlights the humility of Christ, who left His divine glory to become human (Philippians 2:6-8). This descent is also seen in His death and burial, where He descended to the grave. Some interpretations suggest a descent into Hades, as referenced in 1 Peter 3:18-20, where Christ proclaimed victory over the spirits in prison.

is the very One who ascended
This part of the verse speaks to Christ's resurrection and ascension into heaven. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and others over a period of 40 days (Acts 1:3) before ascending to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11). His ascension signifies His victory over sin and death and His exaltation as Lord. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies such as Psalm 68:18, which Paul also quotes in Ephesians 4:8.

above all the heavens
This phrase indicates the supreme authority and position of Christ. In Jewish cosmology, there were multiple heavens, and Christ's ascension above all signifies His ultimate sovereignty and divine authority. It echoes the language of Hebrews 4:14, where Jesus is described as having passed through the heavens, and Philippians 2:9, where God exalts Him to the highest place.

in order to fill all things
This phrase underscores the purpose of Christ's ascension: to fill the universe with His presence and power. It reflects the idea that Christ is the head of the Church and the cosmos, as seen in Ephesians 1:22-23. His filling all things is both a present reality and a future hope, pointing to the ultimate reconciliation and restoration of all creation under His lordship (Colossians 1:19-20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this verse, who descended to earth and ascended to heaven, fulfilling His divine mission.

2. Heaven
The realm above all creation where Christ ascended, signifying His authority and divinity.

3. Earth
The place where Christ descended, taking on human form to accomplish salvation for humanity.

4. Apostle Paul
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, providing theological insights into Christ's work and its implications for believers.

5. Ephesians
The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Ephesus, who are being taught about the unity and maturity in the body of Christ.
Teaching Points
Christ's Authority and Sovereignty
Jesus' ascension above all the heavens signifies His supreme authority over all creation. Believers can trust in His sovereign rule over their lives and the world.

The Fulfillment of God's Plan
Christ's descent and ascent are integral to God's redemptive plan. Understanding this helps believers appreciate the completeness of salvation and the ongoing work of Christ in the world.

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
As Christ fills all things, He equips the church for unity and maturity. Believers are called to grow in their faith and contribute to the church's mission.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Recognizing Christ's exalted position encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on heavenly values rather than earthly concerns.

Empowerment for Ministry
Christ's filling of all things includes empowering believers for ministry. Each Christian has a role in the body of Christ, equipped by the ascended Lord to serve and build up the church.(10) That he might fill all things.--Compare the description in Ephesians 1:23 of the Lord as "filling all in all." In both cases the reference is more particularly to the gift of the fulness of His grace, flowing from His glorified humanity to all His members. But the words are too wide for any limitation. In heaven and earth, and the realms under the earth, His presence and sovereignty extends, by whatever means and over whatever beings He wills. In Revelation 5:13, accordingly, we read the ascription by "every creature in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth . . ., of blessing, honour, glory, and power to . . . the Lamb for ever and ever."

Verse 10. - He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens. There was a proportion between the descent and the ascent. His descent was deep - into the lower parts of earth; but his ascent was more glorious than his descent had been humbling. The Hebrew idea of various heavens is brought in; the ascent was not merely to the third heaven, but far above all heavens. That he might fill all things. A very sublime view of the purpose for which Christ reigns on high. The specific idea with which the apostle started - to give gifts to men - is swallowed up for the moment by a view far grander and more comprehensive, "to fill all things." Jesus has gone on high to pour his glory and excellence over every creature in the universe who is the subject of grace, to be the Light of the world, the one Source of all good. As in the solar system it is from one sun that all the supplies of light and heat come, all the colors that beautify earth, sea, and sky, all the influences that ripen the grain and mature the fruit, all the chemical power that transforms and new-creates; so the ascended Jesus is the Sun of the universe; all healing, all life, all blessing are from him. It is quite in the manner of the apostle, when he introduces the mention of Christ, to be carried, in the contemplation of his person, far above the immediate occasion, and extol the infinite perfection and glory that distinguish him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

descended
καταβὰς (katabas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the very
αὐτός (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[one]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who ascended
ἀναβὰς (anabas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

above
ὑπεράνω (hyperanō)
Preposition
Strong's 5231: Far above. From huper and ano; above upward, i.e. Greatly higher.

all
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heavens,
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

in order
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

to fill
πληρώσῃ (plērōsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4137: From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.

all things.
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is the one who (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 4:9
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