Col 2:9 - all the fulness of deity

 Col 2:9 (NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form

Trinitarians sometimes bring up this verse as evidence that Jesus is God, but what does the verse actually teach?

It seems quite clear that the deity, God almighty, is dwelling in the man Jesus. Which is a fundamental truth unitarians proudly uphold.

Jesus is the temple, and God dwells in him by his spirit.

The church, all true believers, are also the temple.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Indeed, as partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) we are filled with the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 (KJV)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

So if Col 2:9 means Christ is God then so are we Christians. Of course..... it doesn't. Its talking about God's spirit taking up residence in believers so that we are one in spirit, as Jesus described in detail in John 17:21.

Colossians 1:16-17 - by him all things were created

 Colossians 1:16-17 "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This is about the NEW creation. It's not saying Jesus is the genesis creator.

Look at the context of the whole build up in this chapter.

What's the inheritance of the saints? V12
The kingdom. The new creation.

What's the kingdom of his dear son? V13
The kingdom. The new creation.

How do we have redemption and forgiveness of sins? V14
By entering the kingdom. The new creation.

Who's the firstborn from creation? V15
Jesus when resurrected, exalted to reign over all authority in his kingdom.

All of the build up is about the kingdom. The new creation in Christ.

Why would verse 16 suddenly flip to talking about the genesis creation? Even when it talks about the things of the kingdom. Powers, authorities, thrones etc etc.

V18 Head of the body and the church. The kingdom.

V20 Again this is AFTER cross. Reconciling ALL THINGS things in heaven and earth!

The entire chapter is about the kingdom. The new creation. Look at these other verses that say exactly the same thing...

1 Peter 2:13-14 (KJV)  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Literal Standard Version
Be subject, then, to every human creation, because of the LORD, whether to a king, as the highest,

NOTE: Verse above says creation. Doesn't always mean genesis creation. Christians are “new creations” (2 Cor. 5:17). After the resurrection, God delegated to Christ the authority to create, and when we read the Epistles we see evidence of Jesus creating things. Ephesians 2:15 refers to Christ creating “one new man” (his Body, the Church) out of Jew and Gentile. In pouring out the gift of holy spirit to each believer (Acts 2:33 and 38), the Lord Jesus has created something new in each of them, that is, the “new man,” their new nature (Gal. 6:15; Eph. 4:24).

Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

NOTE: In heaven and on earth. Same language. Seen and unseen. ALL THINGS.

Ephesians 1:20-23 (KJV)  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

NOTE: ALL THINGS.... above principalities, power, dominion etc. Its the kingdom, the new creation in Christ.

The phrase "in heaven and on earth" is not referring to the event of Genesis creation. Compare to the below verse. It's talking about authority of the new Lord over the previous authorities of the world.   

Matthew 28:18 (KJV)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Conclusion:

Col 1:15-17 is about the NEW creation. The entire context of the chapter proves this beyond doubt, and the immediate context and examples of thrones, rulers, powers, authorities makes this abundantly clear. Jesus is not the genesis creator. It was through him that the church was created, us being that "new creation" in him.