Bible Discussion Thread

Want to know meaning of "captivity captive. Found three times in Bible.

Hello Doc, My thoughts have always been that Jesus bound up the enslaving power of sin in Ephesians 1:18. This meaning that He overthrew the powers of Satan and death and sin through the victory of His death on the cross and resurrection from this death. He despoiled (looted them of their power) principalities and powers. He conquered them and the grave.

So, in taking captivity captive, Jesus released us from the power of sin that kept us captive to sinful nature. He broke the hold that sin had on us like breaking the bonds from the hands and feet of a slave or prisoner. He then, bound up Satan by His authority so that Satan would no longer have power over those who are redeemed.

In regards to giving gifts to men, Jesus' victory for us brings all the riches of salvation to us. Also, the Holy Spirit's indwelling and the power of grace for us. In Jesus, we are sealed for eternity to receive the crown of life and incorruption and immortality. By His blood shed for us, He has given us the gift of His righteousness and the freedom of our set free will to serve God instead of sin. These are very precious gifts. But Jesus needed to take captivity captive in order for us to be able to possess these and many other spiritual gifts kept for us in heaven.

Hello Doc

In Ephesians 1:8 it says:

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

The expression "he led captivity captive" is a Hebraism, it means that one "captures somebody or something" or "takes somebody/something as a captive". In this case it is Jesus who captured gifts for believers, a figurative expression that means that Jesus took the authority to give gifts to believers.

The above verse in Ephessians was a prophesy written in Psalms 68:18.

There are also two other mentions of that verse in the Bible:

1. Judges 5:12. Here it literally means that one captures people as captives, ie Barak.

2. Amos 1:6. Here it also literally means that one took God's people as captives, ie Edom.

Romans 1:1

Paul a bondservant of Christ -Here Paul is captive to Jesus Christ but before his redemption from sins he was in captivity in sins.

Thanks to God i just learned this when you asked this question

Give thanks to God always in all things.

Lord Jesus please grant us all thankful hearts

I have read and have a thought. The jews were under the law and were in bondage or captive to the laws. Christ game by grace to bring a new covenant to replace the old. Galatians 4 vs 9 explains this thought process. It also says Christ lead captivity captive and left man gifts. The gifts that Christ had, healing, etc.

I have looked and have this thought. When the jews were under the law they were in bondage to the law or in captivity to the law. Christ replaced the law with grace and broke the bondage or cpativity of the old covenant with the new. It also says he left men with gifts.