Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

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

What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

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

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

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

And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,