B

a

Eph. 4:15.  Grow up ... which is the Head, even Christ.  In

the context is seen the body `fitly joined' together, every `joint'

working toward the `increase' of the Body.  The word pleroma being used

in verse 13 as the goal of the Church `the measure of the stature of

the fulness of Christ'.

b

Eph. 5:23.

Christ is the Head of the Church.

A

Col. 1:18.

He is the head of the Body the Church.

In the context principalities and powers are seen to be

His creation, and the word pleroma is used in verse 19, `It

pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell'.

B

b

Col. 2:10.  Christ is the head of all

principality and power.  The word pleroma being found

In verse 9.

a

Col. 2:19.  Holding the head, from which all the Body by

`joints and bands' being `knit together' `increaseth with

the increase of God'.

`And gave Him to be Head over all things To The Church' (Eph. 1:22).

Christ is not yet recognized as `Head over all things', the day is future

when `every knee shall bow and every tongue confess' but what will be true

then, in its widest sense, is true now of `the Church which is His Body'.  In

the glorious future `God' will be all in all (1 Cor. 15:28), but that day has

not yet come.  In the Church which is His Body `Christ is all, and in all'

(Col. 3:11).  In the glorious future `all things are put under His feet' (1

Cor. 15:27), but as in Hebrews, we say today, `we see not yet all things put

under Him' (Heb. 2:8); we can see His Ascension `far above all principality

and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in

this world, but also in that which is to come' and the fact that He is

already Head over all things to the church, is a most glorious anticipation

of this universal subjection of all to Him, and this Ephesians 1:22

indicates, by joining together the two themes:

`And hath put all things under His feet'.

`And gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church'.

This Church then is in a unique position.  It anticipates as no other

calling and company has or can, the goal of the ages.  It is meet, therefore,

that this should be set forth, and the apostle follows the passage already

quoted by revealing that this Church, which is His Body, is something more,

it is `the fulness' of Him, Who in His turn is the One that `filleth all in

all' (Eph. 1:23).  All the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Him `bodily', the

Church which is His `Body' and in whom He dwells (Eph. 2:22; 3:17) is His

fulness.  What Christ is to the invisible God, the Church is to Christ.  What

Christ is to the whole purpose of the ages, the Church of the One Body is in

the heavenly realm.