Colossians 1:19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" is often read as God simply deciding to put His fullness in Jesus. But a closer look reveals it’s about God’s pleasure and purpose – it was a deliberate, joyful choice by the Father to make Jesus the permanent dwelling place for the entire sum of His divine attributes and power. This isn't just a passive indwelling, but an active, chosen inhabitation that flows from God's own satisfaction in His Son.
The Apostle Paul is building a case for Christ's supreme authority and role in God's plan for humanity. He has just established Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, ensuring Christ's preeminence. This verse explains that this exalted status wasn't accidental but was God's deliberate plan, ordained by the Father to have all divine fullness reside in His Son.
Have you ever stopped to think about why Jesus is the way He is? It wasn't an accident, or a default setting. It was a deliberate choice.
The verse opens with a profound statement: "For it pleased the Father..." This isn't just a casual observation; it's the foundation of everything about Christ's unique position. The original Greek word here speaks of a deep satisfaction and contentment, a divine pleasure in a specific plan.
A Deliberate Act
It's awe-inspiring to realize that the very way Christ is–fully God and fully man, the sustainer of all things, the reconciler of the universe–is rooted in the Father's joyful decision.
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What does it mean for the 'fullness' of God to dwell in Jesus? It's more than just a presence; it's an all-encompassing reality.
The term "fullness" (pleroma in Greek) is rich with meaning. It doesn't just mean Christ had a lot of God in Him, but that in Him resided the totality, the complete sum of God's attributes, perfections, power, and grace.
Not a Partial Measure
Think of it like this: if God were an infinite ocean of perfection, in Christ, that entire ocean found its permanent home.
Understand the original words
plērōma · Greek Noun
The entirety of divine nature and attributes; the completeness of God's essence. It declares that Christ is fully, essentially, and completely God.
apokatallaxai · Greek Verb
The restoration of a broken relationship or state of hostility to one of harmony and friendship. Biblically, it refers to the removal of the barrier of sin that separated humanity from God.
eirēnēn · Greek Noun
The state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony, both between God and man and between human beings. It is the result of Christ's work on the cross, ending the enmity caused by sin.
haimatos tou staurou · Greek Noun phrase
The sacrificial death of Jesus; the instrument of substitutionary atonement. The "blood" represents the shedding of His life-force to pay the penalty for sin.
This passage speaks of the Word becoming flesh and 'dwelling among us,' full of grace and truth, directly echoing the concept of divine fullness residing in Jesus.
John 1:16It clarifies that believers receive 'from his fullness,' highlighting Christ as the source from which all grace flows, reinforcing the idea of His abundant divine provision.
Colossians 2:9This verse directly states that 'in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,' serving as a powerful parallel and expansion on the theme of God's complete presence in Christ.
Ephesians 1:23This verse describes the church as Christ's body, 'the fullness of him who fills all in all,' connecting Christ's fullness to His redemptive work and His ongoing relationship with His people.
Philippians 2:6-7While not directly about fullness, this passage describes Christ emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant, which sets the stage for His subsequent exaltation and the dwelling of God's fullness within Him as He fulfills His divine purpose.
barnesColossians 1:19: "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"
For it pleased the Father - The words "the Father" are not in the original, but they are not improperly supplied. Some word must be understood, and as the apostle in Colossians 1:12 referred to "the Father" as having a claim to the thanks of his people for what he had done, and as the great favor for which they ought to be thankful is that which he immediately specifies - the exaltation of Christ, it is not impro…
meyerColossians 1:19: "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"
Colossians 1:19 .[43] ὍΤΙ ] Confirmatory of the ἽΝΑ ΓΈΝΗΤΑΙ Κ.Τ.Λ. , just said: “about which divinely intended ΓΊΓΝΕΣΘΑΙ ἘΝ ΠᾶΣΙΝ ΑὐΤῸΝ ΠΡΩΤΕΎΟΝΤΑ there can be no doubt, for it has pleased , that in Him , etc.” How could He, who was thus destined to be possessor of the divine fulness and reconciler of the world, have been destined otherwise than to become ἐν πᾶσιν πρωτεύων ! This confirmation, therefore, does not…
The phrase "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" is often read as God simply deciding to put His fullness in Jesus. But a closer look reveals it’s about God’s pleasure and purpose – it was a deliberate, joyful choice by the Father to make Jesus the permanent dwelling place for the entire sum of His divine attributes and power. This isn't just a passive indwelling, but an active, chosen inhabitation that flows from God's own satisfaction in His Son.
The Apostle Paul is building a case for Christ's supreme authority and role in God's plan for humanity. He has just established Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, ensuring Christ's preeminence. This verse explains that this exalted status wasn't accidental but was God's deliberate plan, ordained by the Father to have all divine fullness reside in His Son.
The Apostle Paul is building a case for Christ's supreme authority and role in God's plan for humanity. He has just established Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, ensuring Christ's preeminence. This verse explains that this exalted status wasn't accidental but was God's deliberate plan, ordained by the Father to have all divine fullness reside in His Son.
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." — The phrase "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" is often read as God simply deciding to put His fullness in Jesus. But a closer look reveals it’s about God’s pleasure and purpose – it…
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