The Relationship Of Christ To The Saints

3 FACETS OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE LIVING AND REIGNING CHRIST TO THE SAINTS

1. The Living and Reigning Christ is God's Gift to the Church

a. God gives good gifts to His children

1) we have the best possible leader

2) we have this leader as a gift from God

b. The church are "the called out ones" to receive gifts from God

2. The Living and Reigning Christ is Head over His Body

a. Signif. of Headship

sovereign authority coupled with vital unity; denotes superior rank;

1) Sustenance -- the head supplies the body with what is needed

2) Authority -- controlling influence over the body; head tells other parts what to do

3) Unity -- participation; dependence

b. Signif. of the body

1) Unity of life

2) Diversity

3) Interdependence

3. The Living and Reigning Christ Fills All In All for Himself -- so that we are His fullness

2 possible interpretations of "fullness":

a. active sense -- "that which makes something full or complete"

the Body would be the complement to Christ

b. passive sense -- "that which is full of something" -- the body is that which is wholly filled by the mighty working of Christ

Probably "b" here since the context is emphasizing Lordship and Headship of Christ

"The plenitude of the divine powers and qualities which is in Christ is imparted by Him to His church, so that the church is pervaded by His presence, animated by His life, filled with His gifts and energies and graces." (Expos. commentary)