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What is the perfect that is to come in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 that will cause some of the gifts of the Spirit to pass away, prophecies, tongues and knowledge? Is it the completed cannon of Scripture or the rapture of the church or is it the second coming of Jesus?
1 Corinthians 13::8-12 in the English Standard Version
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
(1 Cor 13:8 - 12 KJV) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
What was Paul expect "to come" that would make these gifts become obsolete, and immature Christians mature?
1. Some say that "that which is perfect" refers to the completion of the Bible. It is the completed cannon of Scripture which is perfect.
2. Some say that "that which is perfect" refers to the rapture of the Church or the Second Coming.
Beholding as in a glass – In the mirror of the Gospel, the glory of the Lord.
(2 Cor 3:17 - 18 KJV) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
When we look into the Word of God we see the Son of God and are transformed into the image of God.
(Rom 12:1 - 2KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We all need to keep our eyes on Jesus, in the word. As we do, we will become more and more like Jesus.
(2 Cor 4:1 - 4 KJV) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(James 1:21- 22 KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
(James 1:23 - 25 KJV) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
God’s Word is a mirror that reflected the condition of the one who looked into it.
When one walks and looks into a mirror he sees his face. When one looks into the word of God and continues there in, he sees much more he see the character of God, how he is to be. As you get an understanding of God throw His Word it produces a new behavior and attitudes in you.
Let’s look at (1 Cor 13:8 - 12) again.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away
1) Prophecies
2) Tongues
3) Knowledge
| Fail | To be (render) entirely idle (useless), lit. or fig |
| cease | To stop (trans. or intrans.), i.e. restrain, quit, desist, come to an end |
| vanish away | To be (render) entirely idle (useless), lit. or fig |
(1 Cor 14:3 KJV) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
| Prophecies = |
| 4395. to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office |
| WD.
to foretell or predict, to utter in
prophecy by divine inspiration to speak as a mediator between God and humankind, to teach religious subjects. |
| Edification | to instruct or benefit, esp. morally or spiritually; uplift; enlighten |
| Exhortation | to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently |
| comfort | to soothe, console, or reassure; bring solace or cheer to |
(1 Cor 14:31 KJV) For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
(1 Cor 14:2 KJV) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
(1 Cor 14:4 KJV) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
| Tongues = |
| 1100. the tongue; by impl. a language (spec. one naturally unacquired) |
| WD. the language of a particular people, region, or nation |
| Edifieth | to instruct or benefit, esp. morally or spiritually; uplift; enlighten |
(Jude 1:20 KJV) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost
(1 Cor 14:15 KJV) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
(1 Cor 12:8 KJV) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
| Knowledge = |
| 1108. knowing (the
act), i.e. (by impl.) knowledge |
| WD. something learned or understood |
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
| Part | a portion/piece or section/to divide or separate |
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Let’s see what in addition happens when that which is perfect is come.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things
(1 Cor 3:1 KJV) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
(1 Cor 14:20 KJV) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
(Heb 5:12 - 14 KJV) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
| glass | 2072. a mirror (for looking into): |
| darkly | little or no light |
(2 Cor 3:17 - 18 KJV) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
(James 1:23 KJV) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
| We see Now | But Then |
| now we see through
a glass, darkly |
but then face to face |
| now I know in part | but then shall I know even as also I am known |
Holman Bible Dictionary
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(Gen 32:30 KJV) And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Face to face refers to the time that we see God, being personally in his presses, not through the glass of his word with little or no light, not a clear image. Then we will know God even as we are known.
That which is perfect cannot refer to the written word being complete, because the Canon has been complete nearly 2000 years and Our knowledge is imperfect we see through a glass darkly yet.
Handbook of Christian ApologeticsIn heaven, there will not be that ignorance, therefore there will not be sin. The “Beatific Vision” of God face to face will dispel that ignorance like the sun dispelling fog. |
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(James 1:25 KJV) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
(Rom 7:14 KJV) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
(Mat 5:48 KJV) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Eph 4:13 KJV) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(Col 1:28 KJV) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(1 Cor 15:41 - 44 KJV) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
(1 Cor 15:50 - 53 KJV) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
(1 Th 4:16 - 17 KJV) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
When the perfect comes is when you see God Face to Face. At the time of the rapture we are changed made perfect. Also at the time of death, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So then we can see that we become perfect and it is at that time that we have perfect knowledge and understanding and see face to face. For NOW we see through the glass darkly, the word of God, the word is perfect but we are imperfect and see throw fogy glasses, darkened by the flesh. We see throw rose colored glasses of our personal knowledge and understanding from the thing we have been taught and believe. We need to lose the colored glasses.
We still know in part, and we still need prophecies, tongues, and knowledge.
Revelation 10:7
* "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
