17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]

18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the[5] church; and He is the beginning,[6] the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.

19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),