John Calvin Commentary Colossians 2:9

"for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," — Colossians 2:9 (ASV)

For in Him dwelleth. Here we have the reason why those elements of the world, which are taught by men, do not accord with Christ — because they are additions for supplying a deficiency, as they say. Now in Christ there is a perfection to which nothing can be added.

Hence, everything that mankind devises on its own is at variance with Christ’s nature, because it charges Him with imperfection. This argument itself will be sufficient for setting aside all the contrivances of Papists.

For what purpose do their efforts serve, but to perfect what was begun by Christ? Now this outrage against Christ is by no means to be endured.

They allege, it is true, that they add nothing to Christ, since the things that they have added to the gospel are, as it were, a part of Christianity. But they do not succeed with a quibble of this kind, for Paul does not speak of an imaginary Christ, but of a Christ preached, who has revealed Himself by express doctrine.

Further, when he says that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ, he means simply that God is wholly found in Him, so that whoever is not content with Christ alone desires something better and more excellent than God. The sum is this: God has manifested Himself to us fully and perfectly in Christ.

Interpreters explain the adverb bodily in different ways. For my part, I have no doubt that it is employed — not in a strict sense — as meaning substantially.

For he compares this manifestation of God, which we have in Christ, to all others that have ever been made. God has often manifested Himself to men, but only in part. In Christ, on the other hand, He communicates Himself to us wholly. He has also manifested Himself to us in other ways, but this was in figures, or by power and grace. In Christ, however, He has appeared to us essentially. Thus the statement of John holds good:

He that hath the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:23)

For those who possess Christ have God truly present and enjoy Him wholly.