Colossians 1:19-20 19because he was well pleased good to have all the fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile all things to him, having made peace through the blood of his cross, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
This verse gives the reason (hoti) for the supremacy of Christ described in verse 18. The subject of the verb well pleased is the Father. This verb (eudokēsen) is the same used in Matthew 3:17 for the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Father’s delight and joy in the Son proved the efficacy of what Jesus did on the cross. The challenging word to interpret is fullness (plērōma). This word took on special meaning in later Gnosticism. Those later condemned as heretics may have misunderstood what Paul meant here and filled this term with their own ideas. These ideas may have begun to emerge during these early days of the Colossian church.
It is important to interpret this word within in context in this letter, in Paul’s thought, and in all of Scripture. Psalm 24:1 sets a good biblical foundation and was part of Paul’s spiritual heritage: “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it.” The fullness of the creation finds its ultimate meaning and purpose “in Christ.” Sin and death have distorted God’s purposes for humanity and creation. The fullness found in Christ represents the purpose and basis for the existence of all things. God’s plan came about through Christ and will be fulfilled through Christ. Christ is the one through whom God’s will is revealed.
This fullness is experienced most fully through God’s grace in Christ show on the cross. The cross lies at the focus and pinnacle of God’s purpose for creation. Nothing is left out of the all things of verse 20. This is made clear in the last phrase whether things on earth or things in heaven. It is through Christ that all things are reconciled to God. Reconciliation (infinitive apokatallaxai) is an important idea in Paul’s theology (see Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:16). It is used when the relationship between two persons is brought back into harmony. Sin alienates us with God and makes us enemies with God. But while we were still in this enemy situation, Christ died to establish the possibility that we can be friends with God (Romans 5:6, 8).
All things are reconciled to him. The context implies this refers to Christ, although logical connected to the Father. Either interpretation is significant because it draws us back to the idea of the purpose of all things being found in relationship to Christ. The fallen and decaying creation will be restored to God’s purposes at Christ’s return.
The result is peace. This is our great need. If we are at peace with God, we are at peace within ourselves (our conscience is clear) and we are at peace with others (because our hearts are now open and receiving God’s love). This peace came through the blood of his cross. Blood represents the life of Christ that was given to make atonement for sin. Christ’s sacrificial giving of his life is at the heart of the Christian faith. This is the height of God’s plan for the redemption of all things. Peace is the one thing people look for but never find. People experience so much pain, sorrow, war, and destruction in their personal lives and in whole nations. The peace of Christ is breaking into the world through the preaching of the gospel and the ministry of the church.
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