Ephesians 4 · Verse 10

Ephesians 4:10

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:10, King James Version

Ephesians 4:10 in other translations

BSBHe who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.
WEBHe who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
ASVHe that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
YLThe who went down is the same also who went up far above all the heavens, that He may fill all things--
DARBYHe that descended is the same who has also ascended up above all the heavens, that he might fill all things;
BBEHe who went down is the same who went up far over all the heavens so that he might make all things complete.)
WebsterHe that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

What does Ephesians 4:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. all heavens--Greek, "all the heavens" (He 7:26; 4:14), Greek, "passed through the heavens" to the throne of God itself. might fill--In Greek, the action is continued to the present time, both "might" and "may fill," namely, with His divine presence and Spirit, not with His glorified body. "Christ, as God, is present everywhere; as glorified man, He can be present anywhere" [Ellicott].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended. The same Redeemer came down from God, and returned to him. It was not a different being, but the same.

Far above all heavens. Eph 1:20-23. Comp. Heb 7:26. He is gone above the visible heavens, and has ascended into the highest abodes of bliss. 2Cor 12:2.

That he might fill all things. Marg., fulfil. The meaning is, "that he might fill all things by his influence", and direct and overrule all by his wisdom and power." Doddridge. Eph 1:23.

(2) "fill all things" Eph 1:23.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 He that descended - And he who descended so low is the same who has ascended so high. He came to the lower parts of the earth - the very deepest abasement; having emptied himself; taken upon him; the form of a servant, and humbled himself unto death, even the death of the cross; now he is ascended far above all heavens - higher than all height; he has a name above every name. Here his descending into the lower parts of the earth is put in opposition to his ascending far above all heavens. His abasement was unparalleled; so also is his exaltation. That he might fill all things - That he might be the fountain whence all blessings might flow; dispensing all good things to all his creatures, according to their several capacities and necessities; and, particularly, fill both converted Jews and Gentiles with all the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit. Hence it follows:

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 4:7-16 →

Ephesians 4:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [One]G3588
καταβὰςkatabashaving descendedG2597
αὐτόςautos[the] sameG846
ἐστινestinisG1510
καὶkaialsoG2532
ὁho[one]G3588
ἀναβὰςanabashaving ascendedG305
ὑπεράνωhuperanōaboveG5231
πάντωνpantōnallG3956
τῶνtōntheG3588
οὐρανῶν,ouranōnheavens,G3772
ἵναinaso thatG2443
πληρώσῃplērōsēHe may fillG4137
τὰta<the>G3588
πάντα.pantaall things.G3956

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 4:10

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

  • 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, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

  • Colossians 2:9

    For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

  • Hebrews 9:23-24

    It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

  • Matthew 24:34

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

  • Colossians 1:19

    For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

  • 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.

  • Ephesians 3:19

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

  • Acts 1:9

    And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

  • Romans 15:9-13

    And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. …

  • Acts 3:18

    But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
ascended.
1:20-23; Ac 1:9,11; 1Ti 3:16; Heb 4:14; 7:26; 8:1; 9:23,24
that he.
3:19; Joh 1:16; Ac 2:33; Col 1:19; 2:9
fill. or, fulfil.
Mt 24:34; Lu 24:44; Joh 19:24,28,36; *Gr:
Ac 3:18; 13:32,33; Ro 9:25-30; 15:9-13; 16:25,26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 4:9

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

  • Ephesians 4:10

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

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Read all of Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que descendió, él mismo es el que también subió sobre todos los cielos para cumplir todas las cosas.)
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui est descendu est le même que celui qui est aussi monté au-dessus de tous les cieux, afin qu’il remplisse toutes choses;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der hinabgestiegen ist, ist derselbe, der auch hinaufgestiegen ist über alle Himmel, auf daß er alles erfüllte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui descendit, ipse est et qui ascendit super omnes cælos, ut impleret omnia.