In Christ is all the fullness of Deity…
Paul continued to encourage the Colossians to focus on the sufficiency found in Christ alone – “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily, and in Him you have been filled, who is the head over all rule and authority” (Colossians 2: 8-10)
Why are false teachers such a grave threat? MacArthur states “False teachers who are successful in getting people to believe lies then rob them of truth, salvation, and blessing.” (MacArthur, 1603) Believers who are captured by false teachers lose a close relationship with Jesus, and unbelievers captured by them are deceptively kept away from true salvation.
Philosophy means the love of wisdom. MacArthur points out that the reference to philosophy in the above verses from Colossians, includes “any theory about God, the world, or the meaning of life.” (MacArthur, 1603) However, Colossians 2: 3 teaches us that in Christ alone is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
False doctrine can only be discerned through an understanding of the true word of God found in the Bible. The light of God’s word reveals the reality of the darkness of false doctrine. MacArthur writes – “Thoughts, ideas, reasonings, philosophies, and false religions are the ideological forts in which men barricade themselves against God and the gospel.” (MacArthur, 1551)
We learn from Galatians that we were once enslaved under the ‘elemental’ things of the world – “But before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, being shut up for the coming faith to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise. Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the elemental things of the world.” (Galatians 3: 23 – 4: 3)
MacArthur writes – “Paul describes both Jewish and Gentile religions as elemental because they are merely human, never rising to the level of the divine. Both Jewish religion and Gentile religion centered on man-made systems of works. They were filled with laws and ceremonies to be performed so as to achieve divine acceptance.” (MacArthur, 1565)
In Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily. This is a profound statement. Jesus has the fullness of both the divine nature and divine attributes.
If you are a believer, you are sufficient in Christ. You are ‘positionally’ sufficient in Christ because of the perfect righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to you and in Christ you are provided the complete sufficiency of all heavenly resources for spiritual maturity. (MacArthur, 1603)
Jesus Christ is both the ‘creator and ruler of the universe,’ and “As God, Jesus created the material and spiritual universe for His pleasure and glory.” (MacArthur, 1600)
If you do not know Him, will you consider what He has done for you? He paid for your sins when He died on the cross. He wants you to repent, to turn away from your sins and to turn to Him in faith. He is the only true Great God and Savior!
RESOURCES:
The McArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition. 2020. Thomas Nelson.
