The "FULNESS" of CHRIST

 

Ephesians 4:13 

King James Version

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

unto a perfect man, 

unto the measure of the stature 

of the fulness of Christ:

How does one come into the "fulness of Christ"?

Apostle Paul has this to say:

Colossians 2:6-14 

King James Version

6 As ye have therefore received 

Christ Jesus the Lord, 

so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, 

and stablished in the faith, 

as ye have been taught, 

abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you 

through philosophy and vain deceit, 

after the tradition of men, 

after the rudiments of the world, 

and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth 

all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, 

which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision 

made without hands, 

in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh 

by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, 

wherein also ye are risen with him 

through the faith of the operation of God, 

who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins 

and the uncircumcision of your flesh, 

hath he quickened together with him, 

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances 

that was against us, 

which was contrary to us, 

and took it out of the way, 

nailing it to his cross;

Related articles:

What Does "FULNESS" in the BIBLE Mean?

The ROMANS 11:25 Context

The ROMANS 11:25 Context

 

Romans 11:25-27

King James Version

25 For I would not, brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: 

as it is written, 

There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, 

and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, 

when I shall take away their sins.

To understand the passage better, I included a couple more verses above, to support the previous article.

My Bible teacher, Joseph, explains the "fulness" of the Gentiles:

"First, the setting of chapter 11 is God saying that the majority of Israel continue in their being blinded spiritually (stubborn, hardened hearts) to New Testament truth,  especially in believing Jesus and His Gospel message. 

But ever since, God made sure that a remnant of true believers existed. All the prophets of the Old Testament are prime examples. All of them, without exception prophesied about Jesus as the one and only true Messiah!

Then comes verse 25. Your question is on target because this gives the conclusion of the chapter. The intent is for Gentiles  to know how Israel falls into place according to God’s plan of salvation. This is the mystery revealed to the Gentiles. Also, God’s love and promise is manifested for His Chosen People at this future time! I have no idea how their blindness will disappear and what will cause them to. 

“Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” I believe, is the completion of conversion of every ELECTED non Jew. In other words, not all Gentiles will be saved but only those who are chosen.

Matthew 22:14 

King James Version

14 For many are called, 

but few are chosen.

So, I believe that this prophecy will happen when this “fullness” will take place, when the last elected Gentile will be saved." 

What a wonderful explanation! And that Matthew verse was so relevant, too!

And now, I look into Apostle Paul's chapter. I've included the verses the HOLY SPIRIT guided me to, so I may understand further.

As Joseph says, "you can't overdose on God's Word".

Now, I will let the chosen verses speak for themselves:

The beginning context.

Romans 11:1-3 

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. 

For I also am an Israelite, 

of the seed of Abraham, 

of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people 

which he foreknew. 

Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? 

how he maketh intercession to God 

against Israel saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, 

and digged down thine altars; 

and I am left alone, 

and they seek my life.

God answers Elias.

Romans 11:4 

King James Version

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? 

I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, 

who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Apostle Paul confirms the "remnant".

Romans 11:5 

King James Version

5 Even so then at this present time also 

there is a remnant 

according to the election of grace.

The "state" of Israel.

Romans 11:7 

King James Version

7 What then? 

Israel hath not obtained 

that which he seeketh for; 

but the election hath obtained it, 

and the rest were blinded.

Which was prophesied.

Romans 11:8 

King James Version

8 (According as it is written, 

God hath given them the spirit of slumber, 

eyes that they should not see, 

and ears that they should not hear;) 

unto this day.

Paul's "revelation".

Romans 11:11 

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Have they stumbled that they should fall? 

God forbid: 

but rather through their fall 

salvation is come unto the Gentiles, 

for to provoke them to jealousy.

The potential "fulness" of Israel.

Romans 11:12 

King James Version

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, 

and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; 

how much more their fulness?

The mystery of Israel's salvation.

Romans 11:15 

King James Version

15 For if the casting away of them be 

the reconciling of the world, 

what shall the receiving of them be, 

but life from the dead?

Israel and God -- the "Holy One of Israel".

Romans 11:16 

King James Version

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, 

the lump is also holy: 

and if the root be holy, 

so are the branches.

Gentiles as "wild olive tree".

Romans 11:17 

King James Version

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, 

and thou, being a wild olive tree, 

wert grafted in among them, 

and with them partakest of the root 

and fatness of the olive tree;

God's gift to Gentiles and Israel.

Romans 11:19 

King James Version

19 Thou wilt say then, 

The branches were broken off, 

that I might be grafted in.

Why some Jews fell away.

Romans 11:20 

King James Version

20 Well; 

because of unbelief 

they were broken off, 

and thou standest by faith. 

Be not highminded, 

but fear:

Paul's warning to proud Gentiles.

Romans 11:21-22 

King James Version

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, 

take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: 

on them which fell, severity; 

but toward thee, goodness, 

if thou continue in his goodness: 

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Hope for Israel.

Romans 11:23 

King James Version

23 And they also, 

if they abide not still in unbelief, 

shall be grafted in: 

for God is able to graft them in again.

The rightful heirs to God's plan of salvation.

Romans 11:24 

King James Version

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree 

which is wild by nature, 

and wert grafted contrary to nature 

into a good olive tree:

 how much more shall these, 

which be the natural branches, 

be grafted into their own olive tree?

The "waiting" process.

Romans 11:25 

King James Version

25 For I would not, brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Israel gets saved.

Romans 11:26-27 

King James Version

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: 

as it is written, 

There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, 

and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, 

when I shall take away their sins.

The mystery of salvation continues.

Romans 11:28 

King James Version

28 As concerning the gospel, 

they are enemies for your sakes: 

but as touching the election, 

they are beloved for the father's sakes.

The paradox in salvation.

Romans 11:30-32 

King James Version

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, 

yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, 

that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, 

that he might have mercy upon all.

Who can fathom it all?

Romans 11:33-36 

King James Version

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom 

and knowledge of God! 

how unsearchable are his judgments, 

and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? 

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, 

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, 

and through him, 

and to him, 

are all things: 

to whom be glory for ever. 

Amen.

As Gentiles, we now see the role we play, towards Israel's salvation, and vice-versa.

It is a mystery, a paradox, a master plan of God, which only He could really fathom.

In the next article, apostle Paul explains how we can all come into the "fulness" of CHRIST.

What Does "FULNESS" in the BIBLE Mean?

 

Romans 11:25 

King James Version

25 For I would not, brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

That particular phrase -- "until the fulness* of the Gentiles be come in" -- has been on my mind for quite sometime now.

The verse plainly implies that the temporary "blindness" in Israel was by "design" from God, UNTIL the "fulness" of the Gentiles come in.

The Jews had been "purposely" kept in the dark, as I first shared in this article of 14 September 2019.

Why does this verse matter so much?

For me, it's simple.

Two things:

1. I'm a Gentile. What does it mean to come into "fulness"?

2. If Israel is God's CHOSEN nation, and it has been "purposely" blinded until we Gentiles come into "fulness", then can you imagine the timing and significance, and God's PLAN for all of us? How everything must be a "seamless" whole, and PERFECTION itself? I'm really just in AWE of GOD!

Thus, I find this one of the most EXCITING and REVEALING verses in the Bible.

And for this purpose, I better share with you the meaning of "fulness" in various contexts, from the following verses, as I need to understand it myself.

Here's what I found:

"FULNESS" of CHRIST

Ephesians 4:13 

King James Version

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

unto a perfect man, 

unto the measure of the stature 

of the fulness of Christ:

"FULNESS" of GOD

Ephesians 3:19 

King James Version

19 And to know the love of Christ, 

which passeth knowledge, 

that ye might be filled 

with all the fulness of God.

"FULNESS" of the GODHEAD in CHRIST 

Colossians 2:8-9 

King James Version

8 Beware lest any man spoil you 

through philosophy and vain deceit, 

after the tradition of men, 

after the rudiments of the world, 

and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth 

all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

"FULNESS" of the time

Galatians 4:4 

King James Version

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, 

God sent forth his Son, 

made of a woman, 

made under the law,

From what I understand, the first three verses on the "FULNESS" of CHRIST, GOD, and the GODHEAD in CHRIST pertains to "totality".

The last verse on the "FULNESS" of time pertains to "ripeness".

I needed to know these various contexts so I get the Romans verse right.

The next article will reveal more of that very important Romans 11:25 verse, as I "consulted" my Bible teacher, Joseph, and the "Apostle of the Gentiles", Paul.

A baby Christian needs all the help she can get, through the GRACE and GUIDANCE of the HOLY SPIRIT, who was most patient with this slow learner.

*NOTE: I purposely retained the King James Version spelling of "fulness", in place of the modern-day "fullness".

ABC's of SALVATION by J.D. Farag

 

What is the "GOOD NEWS of SALVATION in JESUS CHRIST"?

J.D. Farag, the faithful servant of CHRIST, shares this verse:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

King James Version

15 Moreover, brethren, 

I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, 

which also ye have received, 

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, 

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, 

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all 

that which I also received, 

how that Christ died for our sins 

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, 

and that he rose again the third day 

according to the scriptures:

He simplified it for all of us, through this 4-minute VIDEO created two years ago.

Now, it has taken on great momentum, and people are catching on, in every part of the world.

According to pastor Farag:

"A" stands for "Admit you're a sinner."

Romans 3:10 (KJV)

10 As it is written, 

There is none righteous, 

no, not one:

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short 

of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 (KJV)

23 For the wages of sin is death; 

but the gift of God is eternal life 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"B" is for "Believe Jesus is Lord."

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 

and shalt believe in thine heart that God 

hath raised him from the dead, 

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; 

and with the mouth confession is made 

unto salvation.

"C" is for "Call upon His name."

Romans 10:13 (KJV)

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 

shall be saved.