John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:9
Verse 9 9.Now that he ascended. Here again the slanderers exclaim, that Paul’s reasoning is trifling and childish. “Why does he attempt to make those words apply to a real ascension of Christ, which were figuratively spoken about a manifestation of the Divine glory? Who does not know that the word ascend is metaphorical? The conclusion, that he also descended first, has therefore no weight.” I answer, Paul does not here reason in the manner of a logician, as to what necessarily follows, or may... read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:11
He gave some, apostles - He established several offices in his Church; furnished these with the proper officers; and, to qualify them for their work, gave them the proper gifts. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6-10 ; (note), 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 ; (note); and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter. read more