Ephesians 4:10

Ascended ... descended. The ascent of Christ implies a preceding descent (cf. John 3:13). Not only did the Son of God descend to the earth; He touched the very depths of human experience, thus making His ascension to the throne of glory all the more glorious.

First. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between omitting and retaining this word.

Lower parts of the earth. This phrase may be understood as referring either to the earth itself, “earth” being considered in apposition to “lower parts,” or to “hell” (hades, see on Matt. 11:23), where the soul of Christ is described as having gone at death (Acts 2:31; see Vol. V, p. 918). The latter interpretation would make the passage speak specifically of the death and burial of Christ. It was this humiliation of Christ that led to His exaltation (Phil. 2:5-11). By entering into such an experience He became an understanding and effective high priest, acquainted with all the vicissitudes of human life, even death itself (Heb. 2:14-18; 7:25-27).