Jesus: Higher Than AllSample

Fullness of God in Human Frailty

“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19)

It’s a recurring theme in the Bible and in theological debates: Jesus is God and yet became man. He was completely human but remained fully divine at the same time. This is so incomprehensible that many people have difficulty believing and accepting these facts.

In Paul’s day, Gnosticism was gaining ground. This philosophical movement was very much focused on spiritual knowledge and the pure spiritual realm. They considered the material world inferior or even evil. Therefore, gnostics ridiculed the idea that God, who was pure spirit, would take on a human body. This idea sounded almost blasphemous to them.

Against this background, Paul stresses that “all the fullness of God” dwelt in Jesus. In chapter 2:9, he repeats: “In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily”. Yes, this is incomprehensible, but it is true. The fact that God the Son became human shows God’s deep love for sinners. He wants to save us completely — body, mind, and soul. He does not despise the material world but will restore it to perfection.

Fullness of Grace in man’s human frailty,
This is the wonder of Jesus.
Laying aside His power and glory,
Humbly He entered our world. (Hymn by Stuart Townend)