Colossians 2:9

Paul is continuing here, building upon the thought (for) that since all philosophy not in accordance with Christ is a delusion or empty deception. It is important that we see that the love of wisdom must be built upon Christ, because of who He is. In Him dwells (Greek katoikeo[1]) all the pleroma (fullness) of theotes (deity). The understanding of the word for dwell used here is permanence in contrast to paroikei which speaks to one’s sojourning through a place.[2] The word fullness literally means a full number, a complete attainment, a full measure, or the entire contents. Paul is emphasizing that Jesus comprised the entire complement of the Godhead.[3] The Greek word theotes means the essence of the Godhead, in contrast with theiotes the divine perfections of deity.[4]

In response to the false teaching of the Gnostics that denied that Jesus could be God if He had a physical body, Paul uses the term somatikos an adverb that means a corporeal body. It is a possible reference to His incarnation, but carries more the essence of the word used in verse 17 (soma), which connotes the substance of something in contrast to the shadow.[5]

Prayer: Spirit of all Knowledge and Wisdom, may I seek only that which is based upon truth - the truth of Jesus Christ. He is the full embodiment of all the Godhead in all ways. He walked on this Earth physically while being continually 100% God. With the understanding that He is the fullness of God, I can rest assured in all that He taught and expects of me today. I can be assured He was, is, and will always be the fulness of all wisdom. I praise Him in all my thoughts. Amen.

 

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[1] Which means to settle down or to live fixedly in a place. See W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 187. 

[2] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (2008). A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Volume 3 (Vol. 3). Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 447. 

[3] With the use of the definite article, it denotes the Godhead, the One True God. See W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 178. See also, Perschbacher, W. J. (Ed.). (1990). The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 201. 

[4] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (2008). A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Volume 3 (Vol. 3). Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 447. 

[5] See Perschbacher, W. J. (Ed.). (1990). The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 399, and Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Eerdman's Publishing Co, 1984. Page 101.