For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

COLOSSIANS 1:19KJV
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Colossians 1:19 (KJV)

What does Colossians 1:19 mean?

Colossians 1:19 says that God the Father was pleased for all His fullness to live in Jesus Christ. This means that everything about God—His nature, character, and presence—was fully present in Jesus.

Paul is writing to Christians in Colossae, explaining who Jesus is and why He is unique. In this verse, Paul highlights that Jesus is not just a messenger or a prophet, but that the complete reality of God lives in Him. This statement sets up the following verses, which talk about Jesus’ role in reconciling everything to God.

The Greek behind Colossians 1:19

  • "fulness" (πλήρωμα, plērōma): This Greek word means the total content or completeness of something. Here, it emphasizes that nothing of God is missing in Jesus; He embodies everything that makes God who He is.
  • "dwell" (κατοικέω, katoikeō): This word means to settle down or take up permanent residence. It shows that God’s fullness is not just temporarily in Jesus, but is at home in Him in a lasting way.
  • "pleased" (εὐδοκέω, eudokeō): This word means to take delight or find satisfaction. The verse stresses that it was God’s own choice and pleasure to have His fullness in Jesus, not something forced or reluctant.

Why Colossians 1:19 matters

  • Colossians 1:19 makes clear that Jesus is fully God, not just a representative or a partial reflection of God’s nature.
  • This verse corrects misunderstandings that might see Jesus as less than divine or only partly sharing in God’s nature.
  • By stressing that all God’s fullness lives in Jesus, Paul prepares the reader to understand how Jesus can bring reconciliation and peace between God and creation, which he explains in the next verses.

Where else these words appear

“fulness” Greek G4138 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
  • Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
  • Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

“pleased” Greek G2106 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
  • Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

“should” Greek G2730 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
  • Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
  • James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?