Contradictions and Paradoxes in Ephesians 4:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Ephesians 4:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Ephesians 4:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Paul, Jesus went up to heaven and freed people from being prisoners, and then He gave gifts to everyone. These gifts help us share love and kindness with others.

Ephesians 4:8: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [captivity...: or, a multitude of captives]

Contradiction with Psalm 68:18

Psalm 68:18 talks about receiving gifts for men, whereas Ephesians 4:8 speaks of giving gifts to men.

Psalm 68:18: 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]. [for men: Heb. in the man]

Contradiction with Matthew 20:28

In Matthew 20:28, Christ is depicted as serving and giving His life as a ransom, emphasizing servitude rather than the victorious imagery in Ephesians 4:8.

Matthew 20:28: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Contradiction with Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35 underscores joy in giving, stressing the selflessness aspect, in contrast with the triumphant ascension and gifting described in Ephesians 4:8.

Acts 20:35: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 8:11-17

These verses convey the taking of resources from people for the king's purposes, contrasting with Christ's act of giving gifts to believers in Ephesians 4:8.

1 Samuel 8:11-17: And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots.

Contradiction with Luke 4:18

Luke 4:18 highlights Jesus' mission to serve and liberate, which can contrast with the kingly image of conquering and bestowing gifts in Ephesians 4:8.

Luke 4:18: The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Paradox #1

There is a potential inconsistency regarding Ephesians 4:8 in how it quotes Psalm 68:18. Some people notice that the wording used in Ephesians seems different from the original Hebrew text of the Psalm. This difference in wording may cause questions about how the New Testament interprets Old Testament passages.

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