Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Text: Ephesians 1:23
IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS
Paul’s lofty thoughts about the Church can only be understood in the context of its relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The community of saints must find its distinction in its relationship with the Lord Jesus.
THE CONCEPT OF “FULLNESS”
The concept of “fullness” (“pleroma”) is a very rich idea and warrants close study. The following observations may be made:-
1. “Fullness” with reference to Christ Himself
The epistle of Colossians is sometimes called “the twin epistle” to Ephesians. There is a lot of similarity between the two epistles. In both epistles, Paul displayed and maintained the highest Christological perspective. The concept of “fullness” was very much emphasized in both epistles. Let us ponder the following text from Colossians that may well illustrate for us what he meant by “fullness”.
“He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven
and that are on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
The firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may
have the preeminence. For it pleased
the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.”
COLOSSIANS 1:15-19
Another highly instructive passage that speaks of the fullness of Christ may be found in the Book of Hebrews.
“Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image
of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,
when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right
hand of the Majesty on high.”
HEBREWS 1:3
There is no denying that “fullness” is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He possesses in fullness all Divine attributes. He is full and complete in Himself. His fullness pervades everything!
2. The concept of “Fullness” as applied to the Church
The phrase “who fills all in all” may be translated, “who fills all things in all fullness”. God’s design for the Church was that it should function and display the fullness of the glory that belongs to Christ.
Let us seek to deepen our understanding of the doctrine of “the Church”. Let us pray for an even deeper appreciation of how the Church should display the fullness of its glorious Head!