The Summation of All Things in Christ

Studies in Ephesians with a Local Church Emphasis

Lesson 72 : Paul’s Quotation from Psalms 68:18  (4:8)

Quote from Psalms 68:18  –  The differences between Psalms 68:18 and Paul’s quote in Ephesians 4:8  –  Explanations as to the differences in Paul’s quote: Christ ‘received’ faith and ‘gave’ gifts; a general reference to the passage only; the altered text provides a deeper or mystical meaning; it is a quote from a hymn; Paul was giving an inspired summation of Ps 68:18; the OT use of ‘receive’ could have the sense of ‘give’; Psalms 68 was quoting from the book of Numbers; Paul adapted the verse for his own use; Paul was not quoting the OT but the Jewish Targum; Paul was not quoting the OT but a traditional version familiar to early Christians; Paul was quoting a current Jewish interpretation (Midrash Pesher)  –  Other authorities from which Paul quoted