## he is the head ##

"Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the head"

## He is the head of the church, his body ##

This metaphor compares Jesus position to the church to the head on human body. As the head rules the body, so does Jesus rule the church. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## originating authority ##

first chief or founder. Jesus started the Church.

## firstborn out of the dead ones  ##

Jesus is the first person to die and come back to life, never to die again.

## This is because it pleased God to decide that all his fullness should live in him  ##

"God the Father was pleased to make everything he is to live in Christ" (UDB) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

## through  ##

The Greek word for the preposition "through" has the idea of a channel or way, showing that God brings peace and reconciliation to people by the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross. This preposition is used two times in verse 20.