What does "all His fullness dwell" reveal about Jesus' divine nature? A Phrase Packed with Glory “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him” (Colossians 1:19). Defining “Fullness” - Greek word “pleroma” = the total content, the entire completeness. - Not a sampling of divine traits, but every attribute, power, and perfection that belongs to God. - Leaves no room for Jesus to be a lesser or partial deity; He possesses the whole of who God is. A Permanent Residence: “Dwell” - “Dwell” (katoikeō) conveys settling down, making a lasting home, not a temporary visit. - God’s fullness is not on loan to Jesus; it resides in Him eternally and inseparably. - Underscores that Jesus’ divine nature is His by essence, not by adoption or achievement. Implications for Jesus’ Divine Nature • Full Deity: Jesus Isaiah 100 % God while remaining 100 % man (John 1:14). • Equality with the Father: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). • Self-existent Source: He does not draw divinity from another; He is the fountain of life (John 5:26). • Absolute Sufficiency: Because the entire Godhead is in Him, He alone can fully reconcile and redeem (Colossians 1:20). • Unchanging Authority: The fullness that dwells in Him is eternal, guaranteeing His lordship yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Scripture Echoes - Colossians 2:9 — “For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form.” - Hebrews 1:3 — “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” - John 10:30 — “I and the Father are one.” - Philippians 2:6 — “Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” - Isaiah 9:6 — “His name will be called… Mighty God.” Why It Matters for Us - Assurance: Our Savior is not merely a helper but Almighty God; His promises cannot fail. - Worship: The One who hung on the cross is worthy of the same honor as the Father (Revelation 5:12-13). - Growth: As believers, we draw from His inexhaustible fullness; nothing we need lies outside what Christ already possesses (John 1:16). |