²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

This verse concludes Paul’s prayer for the saints.

²³ which is His body,

The church is Christ’s “body.” “Body” here refers to the universal church of all believers, regardless of denomination. The body, then, is not literal but metaphorical.

the fullness of Him

Christ imparts His personal fullness to the church. It is the glory of Christ that makes the church what it is supposed to be. He fills and empowers the church.

who fills all in all.

Christ fills all the universe with all things. He creates, sustains, and pervades the universe (4:10; Co 1:16-17; He 1:3). He fills the universe with His presence. He upholds everything. He governs all things by His omnipresent power.

Christ, the head of the body, fills the church with blessing (1:10; 4:10-11). He uses His power on behalf of the church

PRINCIPLE:

The person and work of Christ is fundamental to all other doctrines of the Bible.

APPLICATION:

All Christian living ultimately rests on the person and work of Christ. By this the church is to operate in transforming the lives of its members, through the resurrection power of Christ (Php 3:10). The Lord uses the church to manifest His glory (3:10). The church displays who He is.

Php 2: ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

The church is the complement of Christ. Just as the body is the complement of the head, so is the church the complement of Christ. Christ fills the church, His complement, with the sovereign care of His blessing (1:3-14; 4:10-11).