For in him he was pleased that all the fulness should dwell (Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 1:10; John 1:14, John 1:16; Acts 2:36; Hebrews 7:25; Matthew 28:18). Colossians 1:19, Colossians 1:20 stand to Colossians 1:18 as Colossians 1:16, Colossians 1:17 to Colossians 1:15. The creative work of the Son explains and justifies his supremacy over the natural universe, and his reconciling work accounts for his lordship over the Church, as it establishes his "pre-eminence in all things." In him dwelt the forces and laws of the first creation; in him, likewise, all the fulness engaged in the new creation. It is hard to say what is the grammatical subject of "was pleased."
(1) The great majority of interpreters, both ancient and modern, understand "the Father" as borrowed from Colossians 1:12, Colossians 1:13, and suggested by the apostle's use of this verb elsewhere (see 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 1:15; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 1:11); so, recently, De Wette, Meyer, Lightfoot, Alford, Klopper, R.V.