Fullness

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:9, NIV 1984).

My Musings – The word “for” directs us to what immediately precedes the above verse. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8, NIV 1984). That is to say that “human tradition and the basic principles of this world” would lead to a “hollow and deceptive philosophy” which asserts that Jesus was no more than another religious leader rather than the Christ. The promised Messiah.

As the Messiah, He did not merely share some of the characteristics of God the Father. Despite appearing “in bodily form” as fully man, He possessed “all the fullness of the Deity.” He was at the same time, in essence, fully God. Because He came, He died, and He rose again to conquer death, “[we] have been given fullness in Christ.” (Colossians 2:10, NIV 1984). “Buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12, NIV 1984).

My Advice – “Since [we] died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though [we] still belonged to it, [would we] submit to its rules? “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” (Colossians 2:20–21, NIV 1984).

The same “basic principles” that would have us have us doubt that the Christ was less than what He was and keep us from being more than we can be. “Built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12–13, NIV 1984).