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17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.](A) 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [a]church; and He is the beginning, [b]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.(B) 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:18 This refers to the entire body of born-again believers (whether past, present, or future), not a local congregation.
  2. Colossians 1:18 Christ is the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body. Others who were raised had to die again.

17 He is before all things,(A) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(B) of the body, the church;(C) he is the beginning and the firstborn(D) from among the dead,(E) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(F) to have all his fullness(G) dwell in him,

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For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God].

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For in Christ all the fullness(A) of the Deity lives in bodily form,

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