Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:19

What does Colossians 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:19 means

It pleased the Father that “in him should all the fulness dwell.” All that makes God who He is—the fullness of divine life and grace—resides permanently in the Son. This is not a partial share but the whole plenitude. The Son is not a ladder to higher powers; He is the fullness itself. The language confronts any teaching that treats Christ as one among many intermediaries. Because the fullness lives in Him, He is uniquely qualified to save, to reveal God, and to rule the church. This divine pleasure also reveals the unity of the Father and the Son in the plan of redemption.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For God in full measure was pleased to be in him;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for in him all the fulness [of theGodhead] was pleased to dwell,

Context

Verse 19 deepens the Christ-hymn by explaining the basis of His preeminence: the fullness of God dwells in Him. This sets up verse 20, which describes the comprehensive reconciliation accomplished through the cross. The flow is purposeful: the One who is fully God brings full peace. From this cosmic reconciliation, Paul will pivot to the Colossians’ personal reconciliation (verses 21–23), applying high Christology to their lived experience.

v.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

v.19This passage

v.20and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 4:10

    He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

  • Ephesians 1:5

    having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

  • Ephesians 1:3

    Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:

  • Colossians 2:3

    in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:

  • John 3:34

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure.

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