For in Him all the fullness [Greek, pleroma, plenitude] of Deity [Greek, Theotes; Strong's #2320] dwells in bodily form and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:9,10
New American Standard Bible translation
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2320The Bauer, Arndt and Gingrich Lexicon [BAGD], on page 359, defines the Greek word theotes as: "deity, divinity, used as abstract noun for theos...the fullness of a deity Col.2:9". [abstract noun, a quality or attribute].
This form of THEOS, that is, *THEOTES*, only appears this one time in the Scriptures, thus we have a lack of scriptural comparison for its usage. We have, however, the Hebrew background of words that translated into Greek as THEOS, that is, forms of EL and ELOHIM. I have given before the Hebriac usage of these words in the Hebrew scriptures, showing that when they are used of others than Yahweh (or idols of men), they take on a more general meaning of might, power, strength, etc. Without assuming and adding to Colossians 2:9 the idea that Jesus is being spoken of here as Yahweh, it certainly can be seen that Paul would be using theotes to describe what God has given to Jesus as to power and might, not any idea that Jesus is Yahweh.
http://godandson.reslight.net/hebraictitles.htmlThe Greek form of *Soma* (body) that appears in Colossians 2:9, is *Somatikos* (adverb form of "Soma", bodily), which form likewise does not appear any where else in the Scriptures. Paul speaks of Jesus' spiritual, heavenly, body in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:44), when he says that Jesus, the last Adam, "became a life-giving spirit." (1 Corinthians 15:45) Thus, he is speaking in Colossians 2:9 about that spiritual body, as can be seen from the context, and not the body of flesh and blood that Jesus had already given in sacrifice. -- Hebrews 10:10.
The plenitude of godship -- ruling might -- does dwell permanently in the mighty spiritual body of Jesus. It is not just an authority that is given to him, but his very being, after he became the life-giving spirit, possessing all the power needed to carry out the works of his Father, thus "it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him," (Colossians 1:19, NAS) and so that now he "is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:10) This might -- godhead, godship -- is given to Jesus by his God. -- Psalm 45:7; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:2,6,9; Philippians 2:9; Colossians 2:10; Psalm 2:7,8; 110:1,2; Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:32; Jeremiah 23:5; Daniel 7:13,14.
See also:
http://godandson.reslight.net/col-2-9.htmlIn service of Jesus and his God,
Ronald
