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Ephesians 4:8-13
English Standard Version
Ephesians 4:8-13
English Standard Version
8 Therefore it says,
9 ((C)In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into (D)the lower regions, the earth?[b] 10 He who descended is the one who also (E)ascended (F)far above all the heavens, that he might (G)fill all things.) 11 And (H)he gave the (I)apostles, the prophets, the (J)evangelists, the (K)shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 (L)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for (M)building up (N)the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to (O)the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, (P)to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of (Q)the fullness of Christ,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the lower parts of the earth?
- Ephesians 4:11 Or pastors
- Ephesians 4:11 Or the shepherd-teachers
- Ephesians 4:13 Greek to a full-grown man
Ephesians 4:8-13
Living Bible
Ephesians 4:8-13
Living Bible
8 The psalmist tells about this, for he says that when Christ returned triumphantly to heaven after his resurrection and victory over Satan, he gave generous gifts to men. 9 Notice that it says he returned to heaven. This means that he had first come down from the heights of heaven, far down to the lowest parts of the earth. 10 The same one who came down is the one who went back up, that he might fill all things everywhere with himself, from the very lowest to the very highest.
11 Some of us have been given special ability as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special ability in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Savior; still others have a gift for caring for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God.
12 Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best? It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity; 13 until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Savior, God’s Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord—yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ.
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Ephesians 4:8-13
New International Version
Ephesians 4:8-13
New International Version
8 This is why it[a] says:
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(C) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(D) 11 So Christ himself gave(E) the apostles,(F) the prophets,(G) the evangelists,(H) the pastors and teachers,(I) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(J) may be built up(K) 13 until we all reach unity(L) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(M) and become mature,(N) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(O)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 Or God
- Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:8-13
King James Version
Ephesians 4:8-13
King James Version
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.