Col 2:9-10 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness ] This is opposed to the vain or empty doctrine of the Gentile and Jewish philosophers: there is a fulness in Christ suited to the empty, destitute state of the human soul, but in the philosophy of the Jews and Gentiles nothing like this was found; nor indeed in the more refined and correct philosophy of the present day. No substitute has ever been found for the grace of the Lord Jesus, and those who have sought for one have disquieted themselves in vain. By the Godhead or Deity , θεοτης, we are to understand the state or being of the Divine nature ; and by the fulness of that Deity , the infinite attributes essential to such a nature. Bodily. ] συματικως signifies truly, really ; in opposition to typically, figuratively . There was a symbol of the Divine presence in the Hebrew tabernacle , and in the Jewish temple ; but in the body of CHRIST the Deity , with all its plenitude of attributes, dwelt really and substantially : for so the word σωματικως means; and so it was understood by the ancient Greek fathers, as is fully shown by SUICER, in his Thesaurus , under the word. "The fulness of the Godhead dwelt in Christ ' bodily ,' as opposed to the Jewish tabernacle , or temple; truly and really , in opposition to types and figures ; not only effectively, as God dwells in good men, but substantially or personally , by the strictest union, as the soul dwells in the body; so that God and man are one Christ." See Parkhurst .

‏ Colossians 2:9-10

Verse 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness] This is opposed to the vain or empty doctrine of the Gentile and Jewish philosophers: there is a fulness in Christ suited to the empty, destitute state of the human soul, but in the philosophy of the Jews and Gentiles nothing like this was found; nor indeed in the more refined and correct philosophy of the present day. No substitute has ever been found for the grace of the Lord Jesus, and those who have sought for one have disquieted themselves in vain.

By the Godhead or Deity, θεοτης, we are to understand the state or being of the Divine nature; and by the fulness of that Deity, the infinite attributes essential to such a nature.

Bodily.] συματικως signifies truly, really; in opposition to typically, figuratively. There was a symbol of the Divine presence in the Hebrew tabernacle, and in the Jewish temple; but in the body of CHRIST the Deity, with all its plenitude of attributes, dwelt really and substantially: for so the word σωματικως means; and so it was understood by the ancient Greek fathers, as is fully shown by SUICER, in his Thesaurus, under the word.

"The fulness of the Godhead dwelt in Christ 'bodily,' as opposed to the Jewish tabernacle, or temple; truly and really, in opposition to types and figures; not only effectively, as God dwells in good men, but substantially or personally, by the strictest union, as the soul dwells in the body; so that God and man are one Christ." See Parkhurst.

Verse 10. And ye are complete in him] καιεστεεναυτω πεπληρωμενοι. And, ye are filled with him. Our word complete quite destroys the connection subsisting in the apostle's ideas. The philosophy of the world was empty, κενη, but there was a πληρωμα, or fulness, in Christ; the Colossians were empty-spoiled and deprived of every good, while following the empty philosophy and groundless traditions of Jewish and Gentile teachers; but since they had received Christ Jesus they were πεπληρωμενοι, filled with him. This is the true meaning of the word, and by this the connection and assemblage of ideas in the apostle's mind are preserved. No fanciful completeness in Christ, of a believer, while incomplete in himself, is either expressed or intended by St. Paul. It is too bad a doctrine to exist in the oracles of God.

The head of all principality] See the notes on Col 1:16, 17.