Our college Greek class has been working through Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. The whole letter argues for the preeminence of Christ. He is the firstborn of creation, He is the head of the church, He is the fullness of deity incarnated.
So beware the phishing of futile philosophers and man-made rubrics, man’s paradigms for cosmos (Colossians 2:8). There is only one way to be free from captivity, only one way to understand and groan through the futility seen: according to Christ. There is none like Him.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily…who is the head of all rule and authority (Colossians 2:9-10)
He is the head of the ἀρχῆς, usually translated as “rule” (ESV, NASB), or “principality” (KJV), but the word also refers to the first principle, the integration point where all the lines meet. He is also the head of all ἐξουσίας, “authority” or “power” to influence thought and opinion.
Earlier in the letter Paul wrote,
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)
Creation itself hopes for freedom from futility (Romans 8:21) because of Jesus’ blood shed for the sons of God.
Back in Colossians 2:9-10, in between describing Him as the embodied God and the head of where things meet, Paul says at the beginning of verse 10, “and you have been filled in him.” He is full and, though you are not finished, you are those He has filled.