The totality of something, as it is brought to completion by being filled. Jesus Christ is seen as expressing the full nature and purposes of God, so that believers may rest assured that, through Christ, they know God as he really is. Believers are also being brought to fulness through the gospel, although the final fulness of joy and understanding will take place only in the future kingdom of God.
Jesus Christ, the fulness of God
Jesus Christ, the fulness of God's nature
Colossians 2:9–10 See also Colossians 1:19
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Jesus Christ, the fulness of God's attributes
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Christians and the church enjoy fulness through Jesus Christ
Ephesians 4:11–13 See also John 10:10; Ephesians 1:22–23, Ephesians 3:14–19; Colossians 2:9–10
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
Believers receive fulness of joy from God
1 Peter 1:8–9 See also Psalm 16:11; John 17:13; Acts 16:29–34; Romans 15:13
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The fulness of knowledge and understanding
Fulness of understanding comes through Jesus Christ
Colossians 2:2–3 See also Romans 15:14; Colossians 1:9; Philemon 1:6
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Fulness of understanding is only fully realised when believers see God face to face
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Believers should be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 See also Acts 2:1–4, Acts 4:31, Acts 6:3–4, Acts 13:52
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Believers receive the fulness of God's love through Jesus Christ
1 John 4:12 See also 1 John 4:16–18
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.
God works out his purposes in the fulness of time
Ephesians 1:9–10 See also Luke 21:24 Whatever the precise meaning of the phrase “the times of the Gentiles”, it clearly indicates the sovereignty of God over times and events; Galatians 4:1–5
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
Fulness indicating the completion of God's saving activity amongst both Jews and Gentiles
Romans 11:25 See also Romans 11:11–12
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.