Here is a bible study note
Study
4: What is ‘that which is perfect has come’ (13:8-13)
11
Jun 1996
Introduction
a.
At the end of chapter 12 Paul says he is going to show us a more excellent way.
In doing so, he turns our mind away from the special spiritual gifts and
focuses our attention upon a supreme spiritual grace - agape.
-
In 13:1-8a, the apostle Paul reminds us three important things about agape - a
love that is patterned after God's love for us in Christ - love is
indispensable, love has distinct character, and love is permanent.
-
Love never fails! This abiding love is then contrasted with the spiritual gifts
that the Corinthian believers are obsessed with. These spiritual gifts are all
temporary - they will fail, they will be abolished. When?
b.
Apostle Paul states categorically that these gifts (prophecy, tongues, and
knowledge) will fail, and cease, etc.
-
Note that these gifts belong to a common category. That is why they are
mentioned together. These are special revelatory gifts that have to do with the
revelation of God's word.
-
The certainty that they will fail is indisputable: 'shall fail', 'shall cease',
and ‘shall vanish away'.
-
The time, though clearly stated, as "when that which is perfect is come,
then that which is in part shall be done away" - is the sore point of dispute.
-
Our task is to understand this passage before us with three basic rules of
interpretation: There is no contradiction in God’s word; the text must be seen
in its context; and Scripture itself must interpret Scripture.
-
What is "that which is perfect" and has "that which is
perfect" come? Let the Scriptures speak for itself.
He who interprets the Scripture without taking its meaning from the Scripture does violence to the Scripture.
1.
Some General Observations
a.
Verses 9 and 10 constitute one sentence in the Greek text. This means that the
subject (the matter under consideration) of the two verses is the same. They
are speaking of the same thing.
-
The same basic thing is being compared. It was in part (incomplete) at the time
when the epistle was written, but it will become complete (perfect) sometime
in the future, future with respect to the Apostle Paul.
-
The subject of the "in part" in verse 9 is about the special
revelatory gifts of prophecy and knowledge. This is the subject throughout the
one sentence in verses 9-10.
-
The mention of the special revelatory gifts of knowledge and prophecy would
automatically include "tongues" since it is in the same category and
is listed between the other two that are mentioned.
-
"that which is perfect" (to teleion) is neuter (ie. not masculine or
feminine). It means 'the completed thing'.
-
"that which is in part" (merous - plural of meros) is also neuter. It
means parts of a completed whole.
-
The subject is a neuter thing. It cannot possibly refer to Jesus Christ
(masculine) or heaven (masculine).
b. "shall be done away" is katargethesetai - third person future passive indicative of katargeo, meaning 'to abolish, to destroy, to bring to an end'. Apostle Paul was inspired to use this very strong word to express the cessation of these gifts. This word implies that the abolition of the gifts was to be a complete obliteration beyond recall, abolished such that they will never be revived again, destroyed and never to be seen again.
2.
'That which is Perfect'
a.
'to teleion' - an adjective in its various gender - masculine (teleios),
feminine (teleia), neuter (teleion) is used 18 times in the whole of NT. In all
its usage, to teleion is never once used to describe Jesus Christ, or heaven,
or the second coming of Christ - the common but erroneous interpretations
insisted by the charismatics and some others. The plain meaning of the text
excludes these baseless interpretations.
-
Kindly check for yourself the 18 occurrences in these passages: Mt 5:28 (2x),
19:21; Rm 12:2; 1Cor 2:6, 13:10, 14:20; Eph 4:13; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28, 4:12;
Heb 5:14, 9:11; Ja 1:4 (2x), 1:25, 3:2; 1Jn 4:18.
b.
'to teleion' means "having reached its end or destination, i.e. finished,
complete, perfect."
-
It is used for persons, primarily of physical development, with its ethical
import. eg 1Cor 2;6, 14:20.
-
It is used of things, referring to its completeness. eg Rm 12:2; Ja 1:4,25.
-
In 1Cor 13:10, it refers "to the complete revelation of God's will and
ways..." (Vine)
-
At the time the epistle was written, 'that which is perfect' was only in a
state of merous - only partial and incomplete. But this partial and incomplete
thing was in the process of being made whole and brought to
completion/completeness. Can this be a reference to Christ or heaven?
Can
there ever be a Christ or heaven in a partial state progressing towards
completion??????? Is Christ or heaven ever in a state of progress???????
-
This is a plain and simple description of the progression of the revelation of
God. The revelation of God was given progressively (in clarity) and
cumulatively (in quantity) until it was completed. The revelation of God was in
the process of coming to perfection/completion by the completion of the Holy
Scripture. Rev 22:18-
c. "we
know in part and we prophesy in part" :
-
before "that which is perfect has come", this is the manner of God's
revelation. The complete Bible did not drop down from heaven. Nor was it given
in parts through just one prophet. It was given in many parts (instalments)
through many different prophets. cp Heb 1:1. So also was the NT scripture. No
one had complete knowledge, each was given a part of the divine revelation.
Combined together, they will finally have the complete/perfect whole.
-
When apostle Paul was writing the epistle to the Corinthian believers, the OT
Scripture was already completed, but the NT Scripture was being revealed. It
was also given progressively and cumulatively, given in parts through various
different people, apostle Paul being one of them. All of them could only know
in part and prophesy in part.
-
But once "that which is perfect has come" - once we have the
completed revelation of God inscripturated, then the completed revelation of
God has come. That which is perfect has come. Knowing in part and prophesying
in part have fulfilled their divine purposes. The part-ial manner of
revelation, in the process of time, has brought in the completed manner of
revelation - the completed Holy Scripture. cp 2Tim 3:16-17.
-
When the partial has served its purpose of bringing in the completed, the
partial is abolished forever.
d.
This truth of the revelation of God is described elsewhere in similar way:
-
2Tim 3:15-17: "... The Holy Scriptures... all Scripture is God-breathed...
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work." The completeness of the Scripture is emphasized.
-
Ja 1:21-25: "... the implanted word... be doers of the word and not
hearers only... he who looks into the teleion law of liberty..." All these
refer to the revealed word of God.
-
When Scripture interprets Scripture, we find that the revelation of God is
described as that which is perfect and completed. When the full revelation has
come with the completed Scripture, the special revelatory gifts (knowledge,
tongues and prophecy), which revealed in part are no longer needed and are
abolished.
e.
"And now abide faith, hope, love...": even when Paul was writing this
letter to the Corinthians believers, he could see that the abolition of the special
revelatory gifts mentions in verse 8 was so certain and soon afterward. These
special revelatory gifts were confined to the beginning stage of the gospel
age. When all has been revealed, those revelatory means ordained by God is no
longer needed, and they are abolished.
-
As early as AD 57 (about the time 1Cor. was written) Paul already foretold in
the plainest term that these special revelatory gifts shall cease. As far as
Paul is concerned, what will abide throughout the gospel age are these three -
faith, hope and love, not the special revelatory gifts.
3.
The Three Illustrations
a.
Note carefully the singular purpose of these illustrations: to contrast the
partial with the complete, to contrast the passing away of the partial with the
permanence of that which is complete. To press them beyond their intended
purpose is to do violence to the purpose, the text and also to the context.
Bear this principle in mind as you try to understand the illustrations.
b.
"When I was a child...": the picture of a child growing up into
maturity. The partial/incomplete state of childhood is contrasted to the
relatively mature state at adulthood. The state of childhood is equivalent to
"that which is in part". The childhood state about many things is
partial, not complete – relatively speaking.
-
So when the complete (adulthood) way of revelation has come, the partial
(childhood) ways of revelation (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy) were
abolished. The childhood stage must give way to adulthood. What is progressive and
cumulative must come to completion, and arrive at maturity.
-
'When I became a man, I put away childish things' – childish things are things
suitable and appropriate for the childhood stage. The childish things refer to the
special revelatory gifts for the apostolic church – the church at its infant stage.
They are put away (abolished) when the complete revelation of God was committed
to the church.
-
The partial means (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy) must give way to the
complete (the Holy Scripture).
-
Despising the complete and all-sufficient Holy Scripture the charismatics are
returning to childish things... they are de-gressing, going backward, refusing
to grow up, reverting to childhood days.
c.
"For now we see in a mirror...": remember that mirror was made of
highly polished metal plate, and therefore its reflection at its best is only
partial and incomplete - "dimly". This is contrasted with "to
see face to face."
-
Try looking at a person's face in a polished metal plate and then looking at
his face to face. So the vast difference! In one you see partially, in the
other, you see completely, pimples and dimples and wrinkles and all.
-
"face to face": what does this phrase mean, meeting Christ at His
return? When we see Christ in heaven?
-
This same phrase is used in Ex 33:11& Num 12:8. Note carefully the context
in which this phrase occurs. In both passages, this phrase is used to describe
the manner which God revealed Himself to Moses. It is a comparison of the types
of revelation, both infallible, but one in part, the other in whole. cp Heb 1:1
-
It is obvious that this phrase describes something on earth, not in
heaven! It is about the giving and receiving of divine revelation, nothing to
do with heaven or meeting with Christ, or Christ's return. Scriptures must be interpreted by Scriptures.
d "... shall I know even as also I am known": a rabbinic illustration of a man sitting in a brightly lit room in complete view of a visitor coming into the room. The visitor can see him clearly in the bright room, but when the visitor come into the room, the man shall ‘know’ the visitor just as he is ‘known’ by the visitor, because they now see face to face in the bright room.
e.
Historically, the special revelatory gifts of prophecy and knowledge stopped,
and tongues ceased, (as foretold by the apostle Paul in verse 8) at the
completion of the Bible toward the end of the first century AD.
-
Many are deluded in claiming that these signs of the apostles continue today!
-
Many are deluded in claiming that there is connection between revelatory gifts
and spirituality.
=======
Comments
sing
F Lau
If
you think it will advance the cause of the gospel truth, go ahead.
Michael
Gowens
An
excellent exegesis of the text! I especially appreciate the point you made
about the use of the "telos" root in the NT. I may have to swipe that
from you, Br Sing.
Charles
Page
Our
preacher holds up his leather-bound Ryrie NASV Study Bible and proudly
announces "We have that which is perfect"! Is he correct to be doing
this?
Sing
No,
no no!
Charles
Page
what
if it was a big KJV Bible?
William
D Martin
Will
someone please answer the question? What is that which is perfect. I have not
seen anything or anyone who is perfect. Is it still to come?
Charles
Page
But
aren't many as well deluded in thinking that they have the perfect in written
form and those well trained in Greek and Hebrew are able to give the perfect
interpretation of the original documents?
One can grow weary of someone like John MacArthur who claims authority to preach a message of condemnation based on his 'excellent' exposition and has the right to point out and condemn false prophets and even assert that the whole Corinthian congregation is choatic with the exception of the leaders naturally.
William
D Martin
Sing,
may be you are right in your understanding and presentation of I Cor 1:13. It
is very thorough and well presented, but I do not understand how we can say
that the KJV of the bible or any other translation of the scriptures is what
Paul was referring to. I do not know what he was referring to. I believe He was
referring to Christ return. I do not believe any man can stand in that place
and say " I have a perfect understanding of all of the scriptures".
May be one day I will be able to say that I know or have met that man.
Sing
F Lau
You
miss the whole point Martin... it is NOT the perfect understanding of the
revelation... it is the COMPLETE SOURCE of the revelation. A complete source of
revelation is a PERFECT SOURCE of revelation.
Richard
Hellman
By
your rational Sing then 1 Cor 14 is irrelevant for today.
Charles
Page
complete
source of revelation = ancient 2nd-century documents???
Sing
F Lau
Hellman,
that's what you think my rationale is!
Explain
why should 1Cor 14 be irrelevant today?
Sing
F Lau
complete
source of revelation = All Scriptures given by the inspiration of God.
Charles
Page
Is
the voice of the Holy Spirit that speaks to us individually a trusted and
complete source of revelation???
Sing
F Lau
If
one can FIRST ascertain that the voice is indeed the voice of the Spirit!
Peter said, 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
The very voice of God and the MORE sure word...
Charles
Page
The
Holy Spirit speaks to every born-again believer and that voice is a sure word
more dependable than the KJV. That voice speaks a language that is not native
to the regenerate. It has to be heard by the human mind and then translated
into the hearer's native language.
Naturally, this is where the problems arise. This translation in the mind has to be in
accordance with the beliefs of the Elizabethan scholars (If you are American
and speak English only) All of us are earthen vessels and have this hidden
treasure and it is, PRIMARILY, within each one of us in it's purest form. The
person of the Godhead resides with, in and upon all of us. God give us ears to
hear what the Spirit is saying.
Charles
Page
We
are dependent on a SECONDARY revelation source to test and prove all things.
This is Holy Scripture.
So
if I was stranded on an island and didn't have a book at all I would not have
any problem surviving spiritually. The Holy Spirit would be with me and no man
can take Him away!
Sing
F Lau
At
effectual calling out of the state of sin and death to that of grace and
salvation in Jesus Christ, the Spirit is given to dwell in the heart of God's children. The
Spirit works all the saving graces in them... the Spirit leads and guides
them... but without Scriptures, they will remain ignorant of the truth of their
redemption even through they have been bestowed eternal redemption.
Charles
Page
that
brings into the discussion which comes first the egg or the chicken!
Charles
Page
in
the unbaptized regenerated infant who dies, it is ignorant of the truth of their
redemption. Could the Holy Spirit lead and guide if the regenerate had only a
Taylor's Living Bible to study form? Yes, I believe so. If the regenerate was deep in Africa native with a less than sufficient translation in his language
the Holy Spirit could and would still lead and guide them.
LOL
look at the quality of American Evangelicals and their "deep and
correct" translations and see what that has produced?
Charles
Page
I
think while we have argued over the infallibility of Sacred Scripture we have
failed to argue for a supernatural regeneration that admits of a monergistic
Spirit work that involves God himself in the individual believer. It argues for
a mental assent to the truths and a will that acts independent of God.
Sing
F Lau
Joh
6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every
man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
TAUGHT
OF THE FATHER... therefore a regenerate would know some basic things apart from
the Scriptures.
Heb
10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith
the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write
them;
They
would know some basic things apart from the Scriptures.
2Tim
3 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Scriptures are INDISPENSABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness... that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works.
