“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11)
The Basket Case Chronicles #159
“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” (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
Love is never going to go out of style. There will never be a circumstance when love, when being like God, is inappropriate or unhelpful. Gifts can be put to a bad use, but fruit is what it is. The gifts that Paul has in mind here are the gifts of prophesying, the gift of tongues, and the gift of supernatural knowledge.
Even prior to the point where prophesy, tongues and knowledge “fail,” they are partial gifts, even in their prime. That which is partial is going to come to the place where it is entirely supplanted.
There are two main views concerning that which is “perfect.” Is this speaking of the time when the perfect revelation of Scripture is complete, and the canon is closed? Is that what Paul means by perfect here? Or is it an eschatological statement, saying that prophesy, tongues, and the gift of knowledge will “fail” when the resurrection occurs? I would tell you which one it is except for the fact that I, like the apostle here, know in part.
But in a remarkable display of even-handedness, I will simply point out that v. 12 (face to face, even as I am known) sounds eschatological, and that the discussion of failing gifts in v. 8 sounds like they are already starting to fail, and a statement in v. 10 that prophecy will be done away with in Heaven seems odd. Who ever thought that the spiritual gifts would be operative in the resurrection? “Will we need prophets after the Bible is complete?” seems like a reasonable and pertinent question. Whether we will need prophets in the throne room of God seems like an absurdity.
Where you know in part, there you need prophecy.
Don’t get all puffy, my friend, but this blog of yours is full of His gift of prophecy. We won’t need your blogulation later; but for now blog on!
Very evenhanded for a cessationist (from the non-cessationist). As to your 3 interpretive contexts, I concur v 12 sounds eschatological. I disagree that v 8 implies that the gifts are starting to fail. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. Then 3 analogies, partial/ complete; child/adult; dimly/ clearly. The gifts are partial and they will cease. But change can develop, like running a race, or sudden, like being born. As to v 10 I agree that it is obvious, but fail to see how… Read more »
Pardon my meager pondering but I’m wondering if the shoe fits at all. This passage alludes more to people failing. It seems to me that Paul is saying, “You do not have it right. You think you have gifts but if you do, the constant would be love along with faith and hope and I’m not seeing it.” He throws in the “if” or “whether” depending on your translation as if to imply that they may not have what they think. If I had to squeeze Cindrella’s foot into this slipper, I would think that prophecy and knowledge relate to… Read more »
“We know in part and we prophesy in part”–this is true of us (and of all groups that believe as we do, ch. 1). “But when that which is perfect is come…”–no mention of “us,” not “when we become perfect.” Quite different. Eschatological, or is the Bible perfect in ways that replace information God has that we lack, and words from God that we need, and linguistic miracles? Not hearing from God is better than hearing from Him? Is that true with your spouse? (Maybe with some spouses.) Maybe some apostolic gifting ceased, maybe, but if God still reveals stuff… Read more »