Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 4:9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of heaven] into the lower parts of the earth? |
Bible Question: I am trying to find a biblical reference for the line of the Apostle's Creed that says Jesus died and DECENDED INTO HELL... Any help please. |
Bible Answer: "lower parts of the earth" ____________________ "The question here is to determine what Paul meant by the lower parts of the earth." ____________________ In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. Ephes. 4:9-10 (ESV) 'More problematic still is Ephesians 4:9,10 where Paul writes: 'The question here is to determine what Paul meant by the lower parts of the earth. 'Paul explains that Christ "ascended far above all the heavens" and contrasts that to His having "descended into the lower parts of the earth." Many feel this may simply be a reference to His incarnation (i.e., His descent to earth) and that it is simply a dramatic comparison of the lowliness of earth in comparison to His high heavenly home (Cf. Isaiah 44:23 for another reference to the "lower parts of the earth" indicating, poetically, the earth itself). Others hold that the reference is to Christ's humiliation in enduring death. (There is a third view -- that Christ did descend to hell in order to make a proclamation -- but we will examine that as we look at the next passage in question.)' 'When turning to the Scriptures, however, a certain ambiguity again arises. The idea that Christ "descended into hell" finds its basis on a small group of passages, all of which appear to open up a variety of views or interpretations. 'Perhaps the clearest reference is found in Acts 2:24-32 (Cf. Psalm 16:10-11 and Acts 13:34-37). Peter, preaching, quotes a prophetic Psalm and goes on to explain that Christ was not "abandoned to Hades" (2:31). As noted scholar A.T. Robertson points out, Hades is the unseen world, Hebrew Sheol . . . It does not mean the place of punishment, though both heaven and the place of torment are in Hades (Luke 16:23). Death and Hades are strictly parallel terms: he who is dead is in Hades (Page). [xxxix] Therefore, the most that can be legitimately concluded from this reference is that not only did our Lord's identification with mankind lead to His death on the cross, but He subsequently experienced that which any man would (i.e., the separation of soul and body). 'In Romans 10:6,7, Paul quotes a passage from Deuteronomy that some take as referring to a "descent into hell" by Christ. However, it also appears as though this reference is simply alluding to Christ's death. 'Commenting on the seventh verse -- 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead), R.C.H. Lenski comments: '"Abyss" is the extreme opposite of "heaven." Paul himself indicates in what sense he uses this term, namely as referring to Christ's death and resurrection . . . The reference is to Christ's resurrection, to His going down into the abyss of death and the grave and His being brought up from the dead in his glorious resurrection.[xl] 'Apparently, then, these two references most-likely refer to Christ's death, and not a three-day visit in hell as the "Faith" teachers believe. (...) 'Whatever the interpretation held, it is clear that this passage is hardly a substantial basis for teaching that Jesus Christ descended to hell as a mortal man to be tortured by the devil.' _______________ The above is an excerpt from a longer article. To read more go to: (http://www.equip.org/free/DP060.htm) |