The Victor Who Gives His Gifts Away

or Why Paul Misquotes the Psalms

In the fourth chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes:

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) (Eph 4:7–10)

That’s a weird paragraph.

First of all, super confusing language.

Second, it veers off in a strange direction.

Third, he just completely misquoted Psalm 68.

So, what’s going on?

Well, the reference here is to Psalm 68, which is a song of war celebrating a victorious return to Jerusalem.1 Paul’s version reads, “He ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” This, however, is what Psalm 68 actually says:

When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious. (Ps 68:18)

I mean, that is exactly, precisely the opposite of what Paul says here in Ephesians.

So does he just get this wrong? Is this some kind of textual error? Is there maybe something that’s been lost in translation over the years? Who knows?2

Well, actually, I think we can reconstruct Paul’s intent. Because I would argue this “mistake” is in fact Paul’s entire point…

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