What does "fullness of Him" in Ephesians 1:23 mean for believers today? Setting the Context - Paul has just declared that God “placed all things under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:22). - Verse 23 completes the thought: “which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” - Two key phrases: “His body” (the church) and “the fullness of Him.” Reading the Verse “God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” The Meaning of “fullness” - Greek plērōma: something filled to the brim; total completeness; nothing lacking. - Used of Christ’s own divine fullness: • Colossians 1:19 — “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.” • Colossians 2:9–10 — “In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily, and in Him you have been made complete.” - Here, Paul applies that idea to the church: the church shares in and displays Christ’s own fullness on earth. How Christ Fills the Church 1. By His Spirit • Ephesians 3:19 — “so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” • Acts 1:8 — “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” 2. By His Word • John 17:17 — “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” 3. By His Gifts • Ephesians 4:11–13 — gifted leaders equip the saints “until we all reach unity in the faith… and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” 4. By Mutual Ministry • 1 Corinthians 12:12–27—each member supplies what the body needs; the fullness is experienced together. Implications for Individual Believers - Identity: You are part of something bigger—Christ’s own body. - Sufficiency: Everything required for life and godliness already resides in Him and, through Him, in you (2 Peter 1:3). - Purpose: Display His character in daily life so the world sees Christ’s fullness expressed through ordinary people (Matthew 5:16). - Growth: Spiritual maturity is moving from emptiness to fullness (Ephesians 4:13, Colossians 1:28). Living in the Fullness Daily - Abide in Christ: John 15:5—“apart from Me you can do nothing.” - Walk by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16—“walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Stay saturated with Scripture: Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” - Engage in body life: Hebrews 10:24–25—encourage, assemble, stir one another to love and good works. - Serve with confidence: 1 Peter 4:10—use your gift “as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” Encouragement from Related Scriptures - John 1:16—“From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18—being transformed “from glory to glory” by beholding Him. - 2 Corinthians 4:7—“we have this treasure in jars of clay” so His surpassing power is evident. - Philippians 2:13—“it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” Believers today live as vessels filled with Christ Himself—the One who “fills all in all.” As His body expresses His life on earth, the world is given a tangible glimpse of the risen, reigning Savior. |
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