Sunday 2020.06.28
Reading Ephesians Chapter 4
In Ephesians 4:7,8 the Apostle quoted from Psalm 68:18 and wrote,
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of
the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and *gave gifts* unto men.
However, neither KJV (Masoretic based) nor even LXX, that is so often
quoted in the NT, renders Psalm 68:18 in this way, that is,
"gave gifts to men". Instead, this verse is rendered "received gifts",
thus contradicting the Apostle's assertion in Ephesians 4:7 that God has
given every one of us his grace according to the measure of the gift
of Christ.
see Psalm 68:18 LXX
Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast
*received gifts* for man, yea, for they were rebellious, that thou
mightest dwell among them.
see Psalm 68:18 KJV (based on Masoretic text)
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.
Instead, it is the Peshitta, the Aramaic text that renders Psalm 68:18
in the same way as Ephesians 4:7,
Psalm 68:18 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You have ascended on high and you have captured captivity and you have
*given gifts* to the children of men and rebels will not dwell before God.
It is evident that the Apostle was familiar with the Aramaic text of the Old
Testament when he wrote the epistle to the Ephesians.
The Apostle went on to elaborate about these gifts in Ephesians 4:11, 12
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:
