Bible Strands
Colossians 2:10
And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church, countering a teaching that Christ alone is not enough and that additional practices or philosophies must be layered on top.
The words — πεπληρωμὲνοι (peplērōmenoi), perfect passive participle of πληρόω: "having been filled up, made complete." The perfect tense marks a finished act with a standing result, and it is the same root as the "fullness" (πλήρωμα) of verse 9.
The thread — The same "fullness" logic runs through Colossians 1:19 (all fullness dwells in Christ) and 1:16 (all things created in Him); Ephesians 3:19 speaks of being filled with all the fullness of God; 1 Corinthians 1:30 lists the sufficiency of Christ as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Why it lands — The verse is a direct refutation: if you are already complete in Him, any proposal that you need something more is a denial of Christ's sufficiency. It asks the reader to stop accumulating and start resting in what has already been done.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Cross-references
- Ephesians 3:19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- Colossians 1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
- 1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
- Ephesians 1:20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
- Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,
- Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
- John 1:16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
- Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.