Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 1:19

"For it was the good pleasure [of the Father] that in him should all the fulness dwell;" — Colossians 1:19 (ASV)

For it pleased the Father. The words, "the Father," are not in the original, but they are not improperly supplied. Some word must be understood. As the apostle, in Colossians 1:12, referred to "the Father" as having a claim to the thanks of His people for what He had done, and as the great favor for which they ought to be thankful is that which he immediately specifies—the exaltation of Christ—it is not improper to suppose that this is the word to be understood here.

The meaning is that He chose to confer on His Son such a rank that in all things He might have the preeminence, and that there might be in Him all fulness. Hence, by His appointment, He was the agent in creation; and hence, He is placed over all things as the head of the church.

That in him should all fulness dwell. In Him there should be such dignity, authority, power, and moral excellence as to be fitted for the work of creating the world, redeeming His people, and supplying everything necessary for their salvation. On the word fulness, see the notes on John 1:14 and John 1:16.

Compare Romans 11:12; Romans 11:25; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 2:9.

This is a most precious truth to us. We have a Savior who is in no respect deficient in wisdom, power, and grace to redeem and save us.

There is nothing necessary for our salvation that He is not qualified to do; there is nothing we need to enable us to perform our duties, meet temptation, and bear trial, that He is not able to impart.

In no situation of trouble and danger will the church find any deficiency in Him. In no enterprise she undertakes will there be a lack of power in her great Head to enable her to accomplish what He calls her to do.

We may go to Him in all our troubles, weaknesses, temptations, and needs, and may be supplied from His fullness—just as, if we were thirsty, we might go to an ocean of pure water and drink.