Contradiction with John 1:14
While Colossians 1:19 states that all fullness dwelled in Christ, John 1:14 mentions that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, implying that the fullness required incarnation, unlike Colossians which suggests completeness within Christ inherently.
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Contradiction with Philippians 2:7
Colossians 1:19 speaks of the fullness dwelling in Christ, suggesting completeness, whereas Philippians 2:7 speaks of Christ emptying himself, taking the form of a servant, implying a form of self-reduction.
Philippians 2:7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Contradiction with Hebrews 2:9
Colossians 1:19 emphasizes fullness, but Hebrews 2:9 mentions that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, suggesting a temporary reduction in status.
Hebrews 2:9: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. [for the: or, by the]
Contradiction with Mark 13:32
Colossians 1:19 highlights the fullness, yet in Mark 13:32, Jesus admits he does not know the day or hour of his return, which seems contrary to possessing all fullness of divine knowledge.
Mark 13:32: But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Contradiction with John 17:11
Colossians 1:19 asserts divine fullness in Christ, whereas in John 17:11, Jesus prays to the Father to keep his followers united, indicating a dependence contrary to the concept of fullness.
John 17:11: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].
Paradox #1
Some people might point out a potential contradiction between Colossians 1:19 and the concept of the Trinity. The verse emphasizes the fullness of God dwelling in Christ, which might seem to some as if it conflicts with the idea of the separate but unified persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They might see a tension between the full divinity of Christ and the distinct roles within the Trinity. However, many theologians explain this as a mystery of faith rather than a contradiction, emphasizing the unity and diversity within the Trinity as a complex but consistent belief in Christian theology.
Paradox #2
Colossians 1:19 talks about all the fullness dwelling in Christ. Some might see a contradiction with other teachings that emphasize the separateness between God the Father and Jesus, potentially confusing the understanding of the Trinity. However, within Christian doctrine, this is often reconciled by the belief in the unity of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet one.