From the Greek αἰχμαλωτεύω (aichmalōteuō), from aichmē (a spear) and halōtos (captured): to lead away captive, to take prisoners of war. Semantic force: The word belongs to the aftermath of battle. A Roman triumph paraded the defeated behind the victor's chariot, and gifts were distributed to the city from the spoils as it passed. Theological depth: Paul applies the imagery of a triumphal procession to the ascension. What Christ leads captive is captivity itself, and what He distributes are not trophies but men, given to the church as gifts.

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Logos Unveiled

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. Written by Brother Adamson Ndhlovu — what is taught here is set out in the statement of faith.

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Supporting Scriptures

Triumphing Over ThemNew Testament

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

(KJV)

The same procession appears again, with the powers displayed openly as defeated rather than merely restrained.

He Gave SomeNew Testament

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

(KJV)

Paul names the gifts three verses later, and every one of them is a person rather than an ability.

Thou Hast Ascended On HighOld Testament

“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

(KJV)

This is the verse Paul is quoting, and worth setting beside his use of it: the psalm has gifts received for men, Ephesians has them given to men.

The Exposition

When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Paul is quoting a psalm about a conqueror returning, and behind the language stands a scene every citizen of the empire would recognise. A general who had won a decisive victory was granted a triumph: he entered the city in procession, the defeated enemy walking in chains behind him, and as he passed he scattered gifts to the crowd out of the spoils. That is the picture of the ascension. Not a quiet departure but a victory parade, with captivity itself — the whole apparatus that had held humanity, death included — dragged along behind as a defeated prisoner. And then the gifts. Notice what Paul says they are when he specifies them three verses later: he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. The gifts distributed from the spoils of the victory are people. Not abilities handed to people — people handed to the church. Which means that the ordinary provision of teaching and pastoral care you may have received in your life, and possibly taken for granted, is being described here as plunder from a battlefield. Someone who taught you the faith was, in Paul's accounting, part of the spoil of Calvary distributed to you personally.

The Altar

Name one person who taught you the faith, and thank God for them today as a gift given out of a victory.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Passage:

Focus: Note what the gifts are given for, and how long Paul says the arrangement is to continue.

Ask yourself: What are you good at that you did not earn? A gift is easier to be proud of than to be thankful for, and the difference is worth checking now and then.

El Elyon, God Most High, thank You that everything useful I have was given and not achieved: He ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Let Your Holy Spirit make me a faithful steward of what He has put in my hands today. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Ascended Conqueror. Amen.

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