Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

“All fulness;” verse 19?

Answer:

We should read verse 19 thus: “For in him all the fulness was pleased to dwell.” This was the counsel of the Godhead. In chapter 2:9, we find the fact: “For in him dwelled! all the fulness (completeness) of the godhead bodily.” The fulness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell in Christ. Christ is God; and Christ is Man; yet it is Christ who is both. When He, the Son of God, walked here upon earth, it was not a partial manifestation of God, as if He were but a man. If He, the Son of God, wrought miracles, it was by the Spirit of God; “If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God” (Matthew 12:28); yet, “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10); the Father wrought in the Son. It was not one Person of the divine fulness of the Godhead acting alone, or to the exclusion of the rest. But all having, not merely similar counsels, but one counsel, end, and aim; “all the fulness was pleased to dwell in him.”