For God was pleasedThis phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and pleasure in the plan of salvation. It reflects the sovereign will of God, highlighting that the reconciliation of creation through Christ was not a reluctant decision but one that brought God joy. This aligns with
Isaiah 53:10, where it is said that it pleased the Lord to crush the suffering servant, indicating God's purposeful plan in redemption.
to have all His fullness
The term "fullness" (Greek: pleroma) is significant in the context of combating early Gnostic beliefs that were beginning to infiltrate the church in Colossae. Gnostics claimed that divine fullness was distributed among various emanations or lesser deities. This phrase counters such beliefs by affirming that the entirety of God's nature and attributes are fully present in Christ. This is further supported byJohn 1:16, which speaks of receiving grace upon grace from His fullness.
dwell in Him
The concept of dwelling suggests a permanent and complete presence, not a temporary or partial one. This indicates the incarnation, where the divine nature of God took residence in the person of Jesus Christ. The use of "dwell" echoes the Old Testament tabernacle, where God's presence was among His people (Exodus 25:8). In the New Testament, this is fulfilled in Christ, as seen inJohn 1:14, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This affirms the full deity and humanity of Christ, essential for His role as mediator between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
GodThe supreme being, creator, and sustainer of the universe, who is pleased to have His fullness dwell in Christ.
2.
Jesus ChristThe central figure of Christianity, in whom the fullness of God dwells, signifying His divine nature and authority.
3.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to the Colossians, addressing the church in Colossae to affirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ.
4.
ColossaeAn ancient city in Asia Minor, where the church addressed in this letter was located. It was a place influenced by various religious and philosophical ideas.
5.
The ChurchThe body of believers in Colossae, and by extension, all Christians who are recipients of Paul's teachings on the nature of Christ.
Teaching Points
The Fullness of God in ChristUnderstand that Jesus is not merely a reflection of God but embodies the complete nature and essence of God.
Recognize the significance of Christ's divinity in our faith, affirming His authority and sufficiency in all things.
The Pleasure of GodReflect on the fact that it was God's pleasure to have His fullness dwell in Christ, indicating the divine plan and purpose in the incarnation.
Consider how this divine pleasure should influence our worship and reverence for Christ.
Christ's Supremacy and SufficiencyAcknowledge that Christ's divine fullness makes Him supreme over all creation and sufficient for our salvation and spiritual needs.
Apply this understanding by trusting in Christ alone for guidance, strength, and fulfillment.
Unity with ChristEmbrace the truth that as believers, we are united with Christ, who embodies the fullness of God, empowering us to live out our faith.
Let this unity motivate us to pursue holiness and reflect Christ's character in our daily lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Colossians 1:19?
2.How does Colossians 1:19 affirm the fullness of God in Christ?
3.What does "all His fullness dwell" reveal about Jesus' divine nature?
4.How can we reflect Christ's fullness in our daily lives?
5.Connect Colossians 1:19 with John 1:14 on Christ's divine fullness.
6.How does understanding Christ's fullness impact your relationship with Him?
7.What does "all the fullness" mean in Colossians 1:19?
8.How does Colossians 1:19 affirm the divinity of Christ?
9.Why is it significant that God was pleased in Colossians 1:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Colossians 1?
11.What does 'fullness of Godhead in Christ' mean?
12.What does 'Fullness of God' mean?
13.What does "Fullness of God" mean?
14.What does "fullness of Godhead in Christ" mean?What Does Colossians 1:19 Mean
For God was pleasedColossians 1:19 begins, “For God was pleased…”
• The initiative is entirely the Father’s; salvation is not humanity’s idea but God’s delight (Ephesians 1:5–9).
•Isaiah 42:1 pictures the Servant in whom the LORD delights, a foreshadowing of Christ.
• At Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration the Father’s voice declares pleasure in the Son (Luke 3:22;Matthew 17:5).
• Because God’s pleasure rests on Christ, believers can rest in the assurance that every redemptive act flows from His joyful will, not reluctant concession.
to have all His fullness“…to have all His fullness…”
• “All” leaves nothing out; the verse claims total, undiminished deity for Jesus.
•Colossians 2:9 echoes this truth: “In Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form.”
•Hebrews 1:3 calls the Son “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.”
•John 1:16 tells us, “From His fullness we have all received.” Because Christ embodies the entire divine nature, He can supply every spiritual need (Philippians 4:19).
• No hierarchy exists within the Godhead that places Christ on a lower rung; the fullness means equal essence with the Father, reinforcing passages likeJohn 10:30, “I and the Father are one.”
dwell in Him“…dwell in Him.”
• “Dwell” speaks of permanent residence, not a temporary visit. The incarnate Christ is the lasting meeting place of God and humanity (John 1:14).
• Jesus told Philip, “The Father is in Me, and I in the Father” (John 14:10–11), highlighting an ongoing, intimate indwelling.
•2 Corinthians 5:19 affirms, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.”
• The language reminds us of the tabernacle and temple where God’s presence once localized, but now “something greater than the temple is here” (Matthew 12:6).
• Because deity dwells bodily in Christ, He mediates God’s presence to believers, who are then indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:9–11).
summaryColossians 1:19 declares that the Father joyfully chose to let the entire divine nature reside permanently in Jesus Christ. The verse establishes Christ’s full deity, the Father’s delight in Him, and the incarnation as the true dwelling of God among people. Trusting this truth grounds our faith, assures us of complete provision in Christ, and invites continual worship of the One who is both fully God and fully man.
(19)
For it pleased the Father.--(1) The construction is doubtful. There is nothing corresponding to "the Father" in the original. Our rendering involves the supply of the nominative
God, i.e.,"the Father," or
Christ to the verb, so that the sentence may run,
the Father or
Christ determined of His good pleasure that,&c. The supply of the nominative "Christ" is easier grammatically; but it accords ill with the invariable reference of all things, both by our Lord Himself and His Apostles, ultimately to the good pleasure of the Father. Moreover, the verb is so constantly used of God that the supply of the nominative "God," though unexampled, is far from inadmissible. The simplest grammatical construction would, indeed, be to take "the fulness" as the nominative, and render for
in Him all the fulness(
of God)
was pleased to dwell. But the personification of "the fulness," common in Gnostic speculation, is hardly after the manner of St. Paul. Perhaps, on the whole, the rendering of our version (which is usually adopted) is to be preferred; especially as it suits better with the following verse. (2) The sense is, however, quite clear, and is enforced by
Colossians 2:9, "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." On the word "fulness" (
pleroma)
,see Note on
Ephesians 1:23. The "fulness of the Godhead" is the essential nature, comprising all the attributes, of Godhead. The indwelling of such Deity in the humanity of Christ is the ground of all His exaltation as the "Head," "the beginning," the "firstborn from the dead," and the triumphant King, on which St. Paul had already dwelt. By it alone can He be the true Mediator between God and man.
Verse 19.(b) For in Him he was pleased that all the fulness should dwell;
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.[God] was pleased [to have]εὐδόκησεν(eudokēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2106:To be well-pleased, think it good, be resolved. From eu and dokeo; to think well of, i.e. Approve; specially, to approbate.allπᾶν(pan)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.[His]τὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.fullnessπλήρωμα(plērōma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4138:From pleroo; repletion or completion, i.e. what fills, or what is filled.dwellκατοικῆσαι(katoikēsai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2730:To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.Him,αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Letters: Colossians 1:19 For all the fullness was pleased (Coloss. Col Co) 
