Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 10
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κατοικεῖ
dwelleth
G2730
κατοικεῖ
dwelleth
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
4 of 10
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλήρωμα
the fulness
G4138
πλήρωμα
the fulness
Strong's:
G4138
Word #:
7 of 10
repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Colossians 1:19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;John 1:14And 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.John 10:30I and my Father are one.1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.John 10:38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 17:21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Historical Context
Greek philosophy typically viewed matter as inferior or evil, making divine incarnation impossible or distasteful. Gnostic systems emerging in this era taught that spiritual beings couldn't truly inhabit material bodies. Jewish monotheism strictly guarded divine transcendence. Paul's claim—complete deity dwelling bodily in human flesh—scandalized both Greek and Jewish sensibilities, yet stands as Christianity's non-negotiable foundation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's full deity dwelling bodily affect your confidence in His ability to save completely?
- What theological systems today minimize either Christ's full deity or His true humanity?
- How should Christ containing all divine fullness shape your worship, prayer, and trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. This verse delivers theology with nuclear force. "Dwelleth" (katoikei, κατοικεῖ) is present tense—continuing permanent residence, not past event or future hope. "All the fulness" (pan to plērōma, πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα) repeats 1:19 with crucial addition: "of the Godhead" (tēs theotētos, τῆς θεότητος), meaning deity itself, divine nature and essence, not merely divine attributes or powers.
"Bodily" (sōmatikōs, σωματικῶς) emphasizes incarnation: deity dwells in actual physical human body, not symbolically or partially. This confronts docetism (denying Christ's real humanity) and any system diminishing Christ's full deity. The incarnation means the complete divine essence permanently inhabits Jesus Christ's human body—staggering claim elevating Christ infinitely above all created beings, angelic or human.