What does “the fullness of Christ” mean?
Question:
I thank you for the website. I've gotten a better understanding of some things. I am writing you because I don't quite understand when the Scriptures say "the fullness of God" or "the fullness of Christ" in Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19; Romans 15:29 and John 1:16.
Answer:
"Fullness" means to fill up something completely or to bring it to a completed state. Thus, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority" (Colossians 2:9-10) means that Christ completely represents all whom God is, while in human form. There is nothing lacking in him and because of that, he is completely able to rescue us from our sins and make us also complete. "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:19-20). "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16). Ephesians 4:13 is saying the same thing but emphasizes that it is a process of growth through the teachings of the church. "Till we all come to 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).
In Romans 15:29, Paul is saying that he has the complete blessings of Christ. In other words, Christ is behind his efforts 100%.
