LEADING CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE
There have been many times in my life
when I consulted a dictionary. However, have you ever wondered where the people
who write dictionaries get their definitions. That is
an important question because words do have meaning, and that meaning is not
just a matter of opinion. Dictionaries get their definitions from looking at
the way words are used in everyday conversation, and the meaning ascribed to
them by their context. For example: When Jesus called Herod a fox (Luke
However, in reading the Bible we
sometimes encounter words and phrases that are not
clear to us because we have no counterpart in modern English. The words, “He [Christ]
led captivity captive” is one such phrase (Eph. 4:8 KJV).
What those words mean is that Christ led prisoners captive. It is not talking
about freeing prisoners. It is talking about taking prisoners. How do I know? I
know because the same phrase is used in the Book of Judges where we read,
“Arise, Barak, and lead your captivity captive” (Jud.
Now: my point is this. When we
encounter a word or phrase that we are unfamiliar with, we should never allow
our imagination to run wild. Those who misrepresent what the Bible says by
reading false meanings into the text only hinder the work of reaching the world
with the saving message of forgiveness in Christ.