Yes, the concept of 'complement' directly relates to the Body of Christ, which is described as His fullness and completion.
Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word for 'fullness' in Ephesians 1:23 can be translated 'complement,' meaning that which completes. Just as Eve was Adam's complement in Genesis, the Body of Christ is Christ's complement, making Him complete when the church is brought into His presence.
Ephesians 1:23 — This verse directly states that the church is the fullness of Christ, which Les explains means 'complement.'
Ephesians 1:22-23 declares that God '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.' This identifies the church as Christ's body and His fullness. The term 'fulness' implies completeness, indicating that the body completes the head. Genesis 2:18 records God's statement, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.' Eve was created as a helper corresponding to Adam, completing him in a way the animals could not. This Old Testament account provides a picture of how a complement functions.
Les teaches that the Greek word translated 'fulness' in Ephesians 1:23 can also be translated 'complement' (with an E), meaning that which completes. He draws a parallel to Genesis 2, where Eve was given to Adam as his 'complement' because Adam was not complete without her. In the same way, the Body of Christ—the church—is the complement of Christ, and He will consider Himself complete when the body is brought to Him. Les emphasizes that this is a Pauline concept, unique to Paul's writings, and that Peter never mentions the body of Christ. He also connects this to joint heirship: as husband and wife are co-equal joint heirs, so believers are joint heirs with Christ, everything that is His becoming ours.
Les explains that the Greek word for 'fullness' (pleroma) in Ephesians 1:23 can be translated 'complement' (with an E). He emphasizes that this is not a compliment (with an I) but a complement—something that completes. He teaches that Christ is not complete without the body, just as Adam was not complete without Eve.
Les uses Genesis 2 to illustrate the complement concept. He points out that God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet.' The Hebrew word for 'help meet' carries the idea of a complement. Just as Eve completed Adam, the Body of Christ will complete Christ. Les notes that Adam had been naming the animals, all of which had mates, but there was no comparable helper for him until Eve was created.
Les teaches that the term 'Body of Christ' is used only by Paul and is a unique doctrine for the church. He explains that the church is the complement of the head, meaning that Christ will not be fully complete until the body is with Him. This is why Paul uses the marriage relationship as a picture of Christ and the church.
Joint Heirs with Christ
Les explains that believers are joint heirs with Christ, meaning everything He has will be ours, similar to a married couple's shared inheritance.
Adam's Completeness
Les teaches that Adam was not complete until Eve was given as a helpmeet, and the church is the complement that completes Christ.
Fullness Means Complement
Les explains that the Greek word for 'fullness' in Ephesians 1:23 means 'complement,' and the church is the complement of the head, Christ.
Christ's Completion at the Presence of the Body
Les reiterates that when the Body is brought to Christ, He will consider Himself complete, just as Adam was completed by Eve.
Eve as Adam's Completion
Les connects the Hebrew word for 'helpmeet' to 'complement,' showing Eve was Adam's completion, as the Body is Christ's.
Christ Waiting for His Complement
Les emphasizes that Christ is still waiting for the body to be filled and completed before He takes it to Himself.
The Body of Christ in Paul's Writings
Les notes that 'Body of Christ' is a Pauline term, and Paul's description in 1 Corinthians 12 shows the body's importance.
All Fullness Dwells in Christ
Les explains that 'fullness' in Colossians 1:19 is translated 'complement,' and the completion of the Son is the body.
Ephesians 1:23: Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
This verse directly connects the church with Christ's fullness, which Les interprets as 'complement.'
Genesis 2:18: And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
God's declaration that Adam needed a helpmeet parallels the church's role as Christ's complement.
Ephesians 5:23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Paul uses the marriage relationship to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church, His body.
In the Bible, 'complement' refers to something that completes or makes whole. Les Feldick explains that in Genesis, Eve was Adam's complement, and in the New Testament, the church is Christ's complement, as stated in Ephesians 1:23 where the church is called His fullness.
Yes, Les teaches that the Greek word for 'fullness' (pleroma) is better translated 'complement' (with an E), meaning that which completes. He uses this to explain that the Body of Christ completes Christ, just as Eve completed Adam.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens the Moment You're Saved? Colossians 1 Explained