1:10

This verse tells us God’s plan. He plans to unite everything in the universe under one ruler; that is, under Christ.

1:10a

as a plan: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as a plan is literally “for (a) stewardship.” It refers to God completing his secret plan referred to in verse 9.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

carry out his plan (New Century Version)
-or-
do all that he had planned (Contemporary English Version)

for the fullness of time: The clause for the fullness of time means “when everything is completed and the time that God chose comes.” This refers to the future, when Christ returns to earth and begins to rule as the chief/ruler over everything.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when the time is right (Good News Translation)
-or-
when the right time comes

1:10b

to bring…together: The clause bring…together is the translation of one Greek verb. The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bring…together is literally, “to sum up.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he would bring-together/unite all things…and cause Christ to rule over them (SSA)
-or-
God will unite everything and Christ will be the leader/chief

all things in heaven and on earth: The phrase all things in heaven and on earth here refers to everything and everyone that has been created. It includes things that are both physical and spiritual.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

all creation
-or-
everything ⌊that has been created⌋

in Christ: Here the phrase in Christ means that Christ is “ruler,” “chief” or “leader” of everything. Just as the head controls the body, even so Christ will control everything in heaven and earth.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

under the authority of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 1:9–10

In some languages it may be better to combine 1:9 and 1:10, so that it will be clear to the reader at the beginning what God’s plan is. For example:

9b God was pleased 9a to reveal to us his plan, ⌊which previously was not known to mankind⌋. 10b ⌊His plan is this:⌋ he will unite all things in heaven and earth under one chief—Christ. 9b ⌊From long ago⌋ God decided to accomplish this plan by means of Christ, 10a and when the right time comes, he will carry out this plan.

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