On Colossians 1:19

Colossians 1:19  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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Every correction of scripture is of moment. I beg to suggest one, the occasion for which, it appears to me, exceedingly mars the sense. I refer to the expression “It pleased the Father, that in Him should all fullness dwell.” The English reader may see upon the face of it that the word Father, is put in by our translators: this is extremely bad theology, depriving us of the development of glory in the person of our most blessed Lord. “It pleased;” it was the good pleasure of the divine will, “that in Him should all fullness dwell.” In its present reading it is merely the pleasure of the Father about the Son, which I apprehend to be a mischievous derogation from the divine glory of the Son, to deprive us of the revelation of that in which to me, Christianity consists—a revelation of the trinity, known in the relationship in which we are brought, by faith, to it. “All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him bodily;” that is, in the incarnation of the Son. While He was the Son in personal union with Jesus, there could be no separation of the Son from the Father or the Spirit, though most distinct in their relationship; therefore the Lord says, ever hiding the glory of His own person, “The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the work;” and again, “if I by the spirit of God, cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come amongst you.” That He was the Son, however, is the direct object of faith; and therefore “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;”—in a word, the fullness of the Godhead, as is declared by the Spirit, a few verses after, concerning Him, “dwelt in Him bodily.” These things may be difficult as to human explanation, but not as to communion, where the Spirit of God is; for He reveals in communion, according to the power of truth, and no way else; and I believe that while the human intellect will break itself to pieces, against the glory of the divine revelation, the fullness of our joy and hope, and the soundness of our Christianity, and consequently, Christian strength and energy chiefly depends upon the distinctness with which we are cognizant of the unity and trinity, withal made known to us in the incarnation, which is the revelation of it. “God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.” I believe it to be a revelation, and known only where it can be known, in communion by those made partakers of the Spirit by faith in Christ Jesus; all else will stumble somewhere, and these too, if they be not humble.