Colossians 2:9,10
In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.
JAMES DURHAM (1622-1658): You would not think it lost labour, to read and study these places of Scripture, that show what our Lord Jesus is, in His person, natures, and offices, that you may have the faith of His Godhead fixed, and may be clear as to the excelling fullness that is in Him.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): All the attributes of Christ, as God and man, are at our disposal. All the fullness of the Godhead, whatever that marvellous term may comprehend, is ours to make us complete. He cannot endow us with the attributes of Deity; but He done all that can be done, for He has made even His divine power and Godhead subservient to our salvation. His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and infallibility, are all combined for our defence…The whole of Christ, in His adorable character as the Son of God, is by Himself made over to us most richly to enjoy. His wisdom is our direction, His knowledge our instruction, His power our protection, His justice our surety, His love our comfort, His mercy our solace, and His immutability our trust.
JAMES DURHAM: Study His excellent properties, His eternity, omnipotency, faithfulness, mercy, etc., common to Him with the Father and Holy Ghost, and the excellent qualifications that as Mediator He is replenished with; being full of grace and truth, and in all things having the preeminence.
EDWARD PAYSON (1783-1827): Jesus is a complete Saviour; and we bring more honour to God by believing in His name, and trusting His Word of promise, than we could do by a thousand outward works. Think of the names and relations He bears. Does He not call Himself a Saviour, a Shepherd, a Friend, and a Husband?
OCTAVIUS WINSLOW (1808-1878): Each title embodies a distinct meaning and illustrates a particular truth, the significance and preciousness of which the Holy Spirit can alone unfold and the believing heart alone appreciate…the titles of our Lord are wonderful.
J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): I might show how language seems exhausted in the Bible, in describing Christ’s various offices. I might describe how figures seem endless which are employed in unfolding Christ’s fullness. The High Priest, the Mediator, the Redeemer, the Saviour, the Advocate, the Shepherd, the Physician, the Bridegroom, the Head, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Way, the Door, the Vine, the Rock, the Fountain, the Sun of Righteousness, the Forerunner, the Surety, the Captain, the Prince of Life, the Amen, the Almighty, the Author and Finisher of Faith, the Lamb of God, the King of Saints, the Wonderful, the Mighty God, the Counsellor, the Bishop of Souls—all these, and many more, are names given to Christ in Scripture. Each is a fountain of instruction and comfort for everyone who is willing to drink of it. Each supplies matter for useful meditation.
RALPH ERSKINE (1685-1752): He hath a name suiting every want, every need. Do you need wonders to be wrought for you? His name is Wonderful; look to Him so to do, for His name’s sake. Do you need counsel and direction? His name is the Counsellor: cast yourself on Him and His mighty name for this. Have you mighty enemies to debate with? His name is the Mighty God; seek that He may exert His power for His name’s sake. Do you need His fatherly pity? His name is the everlasting Father; As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Plead His pity, for His name’s sake. Do you need peace external, internal, or eternal? His name is the Prince of Peace; seek for His name’s sake, that He may create peace.
O sirs, His name is Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord, the healer and physician; seek, for His name’s sake, that He may heal all your diseases. Do you need pardon? His name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness: seek for His name’s sake, that He may be merciful to your unrighteousness. Do you need defence and protection? His name is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord your banner; seek, for His name’s sake, that His banner of love and grace may be spread over you. Do you need provision in extreme want? His name is Jehovah-Jireh, in the mount to the Lord it shall be seen, the Lord will provide. Do you need His presence? His name is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there: Immanuel, God with us: look to Him to be with you, for His name’s sake. Do you need an audience of prayer? His name is the Hearer of Prayer. Do you need strength? His name is the Strength of Israel. Comfort? His name is the Consolation of Israel…Sit down and devise names to your wants and needs, and you will find He hath a name suitable for your supply, He hath wisdom to guide you; power to keep you; mercy to pity you; truth to shield you; holiness to sanctify you; righteousness to justify you; grace to adorn you; and glory to crown you. Trust in His name, who saves for His name’s sake.
WILLIAM S. PLUMER (1802-1880): Jesus Christ is a wonderful, a glorious person. His names and titles are as important as they are significant. Every one of them is as ointment poured forth. His people sit under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit is sweet to their taste. To them He is altogether lovely.
JAMES DURHAM: Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Song of Solomon 1:3. The similitude whereby it is illustrated, is, “ointment poured forth.” Christ’s name is Himself, or the knowledge of Himself, or every thing whereby Himself is made known—His attributes, word, works, especially those of redemption, His ordinances, covenant, promises, which are all His name (for so the preaching of the gospel is called the bearing of His name, Acts 9:15, and making known, or declaring His name, Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12.
C. H. SPURGEON: Other names may have small significance, but in the titles of Jesus there is a wealth of meaning. Is not the very name of Jesus, Immanuel—God with us? Is not this the best of all, that God is with us?
MARY WINSLOW (1774-1854): All power is Mine, says Christ, in heaven and on earth. Oh, the mighty power of prayer with God our Father in the name of His beloved Son! We must get to heaven before we know what that power has been in its fullest sense.
JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Great indeed is the power of the name of Jesus.
Come my soul, thy suit prepare; Jesus loves to answer prayer…
Thou art coming to a King; Large petitions with thee bring.
JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): And then let us not doubt, but when we shall call upon Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall feel that our prayers shall not be in vain, nor unprofitable.
