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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/colossians/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/colossians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/colossians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/colossians/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/colossians/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/colossians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/colossians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/colossians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/colossians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/colossians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the entire fullness of God&#8217s nature dwells bodily in Christ, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/colossians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/colossians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God lives fully in Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/colossians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/colossians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All of God lives in Christ's body,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/colossians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/colossians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because all the essence of deity inhabits him in bodily form. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/colossians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/colossians/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/colossians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/colossians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For it is in Christ that the fulness of God's nature dwells embodied, and in Him you are made complete,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/colossians/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/colossians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/colossians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> because in him doth tabernacle all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/colossians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For in him dwells all the completion of divinity bodily.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/colossians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/colossians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For in him, all the fullness of the Divine Nature dwells bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/colossians/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/colossians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/colossians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For in him is embodied all the fulness of the Godhead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/colossians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For all The Fullness of The Deity dwells in him bodily.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/colossians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhood bodily.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/colossians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />because in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/colossians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/colossians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for in him all divine plenitude does substantially reside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For it is in Christ that the fulness of God's nature dwells embodied, and in Him you are made complete,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/colossians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />because in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/colossians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />for all the fulness of the deity dwelleth personally in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/colossians/2-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q-K-qsfihQ?start=354" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Alive in Christ</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pan (Adj-NNS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4138.htm" title="4138: plērōma (N-NNS) -- From pleroo; repletion or completion, i.e. what fills, or what is filled.">fullness</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2320.htm" title="2320: Theotētos (N-GFS) -- Deity, Godhead. From theos; divinity.">Deity</a> <a href="/greek/2730.htm" title="2730: katoikei (V-PIA-3S) -- To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.">dwells</a> <a href="/greek/4985.htm" title="4985: sōmatikōs (Adv) -- Bodily, corporeally, belonging to the body. Adverb from somatikos; corporeally or physically.">in bodily form.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></span><br />The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a></span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a></span><br />The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6</a></span><br />Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a></span><br />I and the Father are one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a></span><br />For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-21.htm">John 17:21</a></span><br />that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-23.htm">Matthew 1:23</a></span><br />“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a></span><br />“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a></span><br />By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a></span><br />Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-28.htm">John 20:28</a></span><br />Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2"> For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.</p><p class="hdg">in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2,3</a></b></br> That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Colossians 1:19</a></b></br> For it pleased <i>the Father</i> that in him should all fulness dwell;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a></b></br> Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.</p><p class="hdg">bodily.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/3-22.htm">Luke 3:22</a></b></br> And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></b></br> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21</a></b></br> But he spake of the temple of his body.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Bodily</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Deity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-6.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Form</a> <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Fullness</a> <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Fulness</a> <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Godhead</a> <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">God's</a> <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-17.htm">Bodily</a> <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Deity</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-14.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Form</a> <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Fullness</a> <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Fulness</a> <a href="/psalms/8-5.htm">Godhead</a> <a href="/colossians/2-19.htm">God's</a> <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-2.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-8.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Colossians 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-1.htm">Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">worshipping of angels;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The Apostle Paul is addressing the Colossian church, which was facing false teachings that diminished the supremacy of Christ. By stating "in Christ," Paul affirms that all spiritual truths and realities are found in Him. This echoes <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, highlighting the incarnation of Christ as the foundation of Christian belief.<p><b>all the fullness</b><br>The term "fullness" (Greek: pleroma) signifies completeness and totality. In the context of Colossians, it counters the Gnostic idea that divine knowledge or spiritual fullness could be attained through other means or intermediaries. Paul asserts that everything necessary for salvation and spiritual life is found in Christ alone. This concept is also reflected in <a href="/ephesians/1-23.htm">Ephesians 1:23</a>, where the church is described as the body of Christ, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.<p><b>of the Deity</b><br>The word "Deity" (Greek: theotēs) refers to the divine nature or essence. This phrase underscores the belief in the full divinity of Christ, affirming that He is not merely a reflection or part of God but fully God Himself. This is consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This aligns with <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a>, where Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one."<p><b>dwells</b><br>The verb "dwells" (Greek: katoikei) indicates a permanent residence, not a temporary or partial presence. This suggests that the divine nature of Christ is not something He occasionally possesses but is an integral and eternal aspect of His being. This is in contrast to the Old Testament tabernacle or temple, where God's presence was manifested temporarily. In Christ, the fullness of God permanently resides, as seen in <a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a>, where Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."<p><b>in bodily form</b><br>This phrase affirms the incarnation, the belief that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. It counters early heresies like Docetism, which denied the true humanity of Christ. By emphasizing "bodily form," Paul highlights that Jesus was fully human while being fully divine, capable of experiencing human life and suffering. This is crucial for the understanding of the atonement, as only a fully human and fully divine Savior could reconcile humanity to God. This is supported by <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-8</a>, where Christ is described as taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/christ.htm">Christ (Jesus Christ)</a></b><br>The central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. In this verse, He is described as embodying the fullness of the Deity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/colossae.htm">Colossae</a></b><br>An ancient city in Phrygia, Asia Minor, where the recipients of the letter, the Colossians, resided. The Apostle Paul wrote to them to address theological issues and encourage their faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/apostle_paul.htm">Apostle Paul</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Colossians. He was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fullness_of_deity_in_christ.htm">The Fullness of Deity in Christ</a></b><br>This verse affirms the complete divinity of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a reflection or part of God but embodies the entire essence of God in human form.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_incarnation.htm">The Incarnation</a></b><br>The incarnation of Christ is a profound mystery and a cornerstone of Christian faith. It demonstrates God's willingness to enter into human history and experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ's_sufficiency.htm">Christ's Sufficiency</a></b><br>Understanding that all the fullness of God dwells in Christ assures believers of His sufficiency for salvation and spiritual life. There is no need to seek additional spiritual experiences or intermediaries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/theological_clarity.htm">Theological Clarity</a></b><br>This verse provides clarity against false teachings that may diminish the divinity of Christ. It is a reminder to hold fast to sound doctrine.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_christ's_fullness.htm">Living in Christ's Fullness</a></b><br>Believers are called to live in the reality of Christ's fullness, drawing strength and wisdom from Him in their daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_colossians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_colossians_2_9_scientifically_feasible.htm">If Colossians 2:9 claims Jesus possessed the full divine nature in bodily form, how is this scientifically feasible? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_pauline_theology.htm">What defines Pauline Theology in Christian doctrine?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'godhead_in_christ'.htm">What does "fullness of Godhead in Christ" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_genesis_apocryphon_about.htm">What does 'fullness of Godhead in Christ' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.</span>--Here almost every word is emphatic. First, "All the fulness of the Godhead"--not a mere emanation from the Supreme Being. Next, "dwells" and remains for ever--not descending on Him for a time and leaving Him again. Lastly, "bodily," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>as incarnate in His humanity. The whole is an extension and enforcement of <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm" title=" For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;">Colossians 1:19</a>, "God was pleased that in Him all the fulness should dwell." The horror of all that was material, as having in it the seed of evil, induced denial either of the reality of our Lord's body, or of its inseparable connection with the Godhead in Him. Hence the emphasis here; as also we find (somewhat later) in St. John, "The Word was made flesh" (<a href="/john/1-14.htm" title="And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.">John 1:14</a>); "The spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh . . . is the spirit of antichrist" (<a href="/1_john/4-3.htm" title="And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.">1John 4:3</a>).<p>On the meaning of "fullness" (<span class= "ital">plerorna</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>see <a href="/colossians/1-10.htm" title=" That you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;">Colossians 1:10</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-3.htm" title="Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:">Ephesians 1:3</a>; <a href="/ephesians/3-19.htm" title="And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.">Ephesians 3:19</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm" title="Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:">Ephesians 4:13</a>. Here it is only necessary to add, that, as in the later Gnosticism, so probably in its earlier forms, the word was used for the infinite nature of the Supreme Deity, out of which all the emanations (afterwards called <span class= "ital">'ons</span>) received in various degrees of imperfection, according to their capacity. Probably for that reason St. Paul uses it so emphatically here. In the same spirit, St. John declares (<a href="/john/1-16.htm" title="And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.">John 1:16</a>), <span class= "ital">"</span>Out of His (Christ's) fulness have all we received." It is not finite, but infinitely perfect; hence we all can draw from it, yet leave it unimpaired. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/colossians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Because in him dwelleth all the fulness</span> (or, <span class="accented">completeness</span>) of the Godhead bodily (<a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Colossians 1:19</a>; <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6-8</a>; <a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3, 4</a>; <a href="/romans/9-5.htm">Romans 9:5</a>; <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1, 14</a>). In <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18-20</a> we viewed a series of events; here we have an abiding fact. The whole plenitude of our Lord's Divine-human person and powers, as the complete Christ, was definitively constituted when, in the exercise of his kingly prerogative, "he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." "From henceforth" that fulness evermore <span class="accented">resides in him</span> (comp. note, <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Colossians 1:19</a>). The undivided <span class="accented">pleroma</span> of <a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Colossians 1:19</a> now reveals its twofold nature: it is "the fulness of the Godhead," and yet "dwells corporeally in him." "Godhead" (<span class="greek">θεότης</span>) is the abstract of "God" (<span class="greek">θεός</span>), not of the adjective "Divine" (<span class="greek">θεῖος</span>: the Vulgate therefore, wrongly, <span class="accented">divinitatis:</span> comp. <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>; <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a>; Wisd. 18:9), and denotes,"not Divine excellences, but the Divine nature" (Bengel); see Trench's 'Synonyms.' Schenkel and others, guided by a conjecture of Theodoret, have found here the <span class="accented">Church</span>, supporting their view by a very doubtful interpretation of <a href="/ephesians/1-23.htm">Ephesians 1:23</a>. Still more groundless is the identification of this <span class="accented">pleroma</span> with <span class="accented">the created world.</span> The apostle unmistakably affirms that the Divine nature, in its entirety, belongs to the Church's Christ. The literal sense of "bodily" (maintained by Meyer, Alford, Ellicott, Lightfoot, Hofmann, after Chrysostom and Athanasius) has been avoided by those who render it "wholly" (Jerome); "essentially, substantially" (Cyril, Theophylact, Calvin, Klopper), as opposed to "relatively" or "partially;" "truly" (Augustine, Erasmus, Bengel, Bleek), as opposed to "figuretively" (ver. 17). The adverb <span class="greek">σωματικῶς</span> (always <span class="accented">literal</span> in classical usage, along with its adjective) occurs only here in the New Testament; the adjective "bodily" in <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">1 Timothy 4:8</a>; <a href="/luke/3-22.htm">Luke 3:22</a>. "The body of his flesh" in <a href="/colossians/1-22.htm">Colossians 1:22</a> affords a truer parallel than the language of ver. 17, where <span class="greek">σῶμα</span>, bears an exceptional sense (see note). Elsewhere St. Paul balances in similar fashion expressions relating to the twofold nature of Christ (see parallels). The assertion that "all the fulness of Deity" dwells in Christ negatives the Alexandrine "philosophy," with its cloud of mediating angel powers and spiritual emanations; the assertion that it dwells in him <span class="accented">bodily</span> equally condemns that contempt for the body and the material world which was the chief practical tenet of the same school (comp. notes on Colossians 1:22 and Colossians 2:23). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/colossians/2-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Christ]</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πᾶν</span> <span class="translit">(pan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fullness</span><br /><span class="grk">πλήρωμα</span> <span class="translit">(plērōma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4138.htm">Strong's 4138: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pleroo; repletion or completion, i.e. what fills, or what is filled.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Deity</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεότητος</span> <span class="translit">(Theotētos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deity, Godhead. From theos; divinity.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dwells</span><br /><span class="grk">κατοικεῖ</span> <span class="translit">(katoikei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2730.htm">Strong's 2730: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in bodily form.</span><br /><span class="grk">σωματικῶς</span> <span class="translit">(sōmatikōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4985.htm">Strong's 4985: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bodily, corporeally, belonging to the body. Adverb from somatikos; corporeally or physically.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/colossians/2-9.htm">NT Letters: Colossians 2:9 For in him all the fullness (Coloss. Col Co) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Colossians 2:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/colossians/2-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Colossians 2:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>