Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 2:10

"and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:" — Colossians 2:10 (ASV)

This statement crowns Paul’s argument. Because Christ is fully God and really human, believers “are made full,” i.e., share in his fullness; “in him” denotes our vital union with the Savior. In union with Christ, our every spiritual need is fully met. Possessing him, we possess all. There was no need, therefore, for the Colossians to turn to the “philosophy” of the errorists, the ritual of the Mosaic law, or the spirit-beings worshiped by the pagan world. All they needed was in Jesus Christ.

Paul goes on to affirm the all-sufficiency of Christ by stating that he is “the head over every power and authority.” He is “the head” in the sense that he is the source of life for all that exists and sovereign Lord over it all (cf. 1:16, 18). Whatever powers there are in the universe, whatever ranks and orders of authority and government, they all owe their being to Christ and are under his lordship. It is important to observe that though Christ is here described as head, the powers and authorities are not called his body. That distinction is reserved for Christ’s people.