Ephesians Four One-Ten
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you a all. Spiritual Gifts But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” b (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first c descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

When Paul recalls his chains his intent is to encourage his hearers to rise above their own infirmities to moral excellence. It is as if he were saying: “Remember that it is in relation to you that I am in prison. Suppose I had refused to preach. I would have been free of all this.” In this poign- ant way the divine apostle elicits sympathy, for he is more content with his chains on Christ’s account than a king with his crown.

St. Theodoret