πλήρωμα (Plērōma)

MEANINGFullness, completion, fulfillment. In Ephesians 1:10 --- 'the fullness of times' (plērōmatos tōn kairōn). The moment when the oikonomia reaches its consummation and all things are gathered together in Christ.

GRAMMARFrom plēroō (to fill, fulfill, complete). Ephesians 1:10: oikonomian tou plērōmatos tōn kairōn (the administration of the fullness of the seasons/times). Kairōn (seasons, appointed times) is the plural of kairos --- not clock time (chronos) but appointed, significant time. The fullness of the appointed seasons is the moment when all the redemptive periods have run their course and culminate.

SIGNIFICANCEPlērōma in Ephesians 1:10 describes the end-goal of the oikonomia --- the moment of complete fulfillment when all things are gathered (anakephalaiōsasthai --- recapitulated/summed up) in Christ. Thread 5's roadmap is moving toward this plērōma. The distinct periods are not ends in themselves but stages in the movement toward the fullness.

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESEphesians 1:10; Galatians 4:4 (plērōma tou chronou --- when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son); Colossians 1:19 (the fullness/plērōma of deity dwelling in Christ).

CROSS-REFERENCESEphesians 1:10 · Galatians 4:4 · οἰκονομία oikonomia · ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι anakephalaiōsasthai