The Fullness of the Godhead

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In the expression, “It pleased [the Father] that in Him should all fullness dwell” (Col. 1:1919For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 1:19)), the reader may see upon the face of it that the word “Father” is put in by our translators. This deprives us of the development of glory in the Person of our most blessed Lord. “All the fullness was pleased to dwell in Him.” 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. In chapter 2 we have the fact, “All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily” (Col. 2:99For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9)), that is, in the incarnation of the Son. While He was the Son in personal union with flesh as 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, though He Himself wrought the miracles, “The Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works” (John 14:1010Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10)), and again, “If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (Matt. 12:2828But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Matthew 12:28)). That He was the Son, however, is the direct object of faith, but revealing the Father, and therefore, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (John 14:99Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? (John 14:9)). In a word, the fullness of the Godhead (as is declared by the Spirit 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, the soundness of our Christianity, and, consequently, Christian strength and energy chiefly depend 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. I believe it to be a revelation, known, where only it can be known, in communion, by those made partakers of the Spirit by faith in Christ Jesus.
J. N. Darby, adapted 