1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (WEL) Love never ends, but whether prophecies, they will be done away with; or languages, they will stop; or knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we know in part and prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is complete and whole comes, then that which is in part will be inoperative. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child; I understood like a child; I thought like a child, but when I became a man, I put away these childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror a blurred image but then face-to-face. Now I know in part, but then I will know even, as I am known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
V8 Love never ends, but whether prophecies, they will be done away with; or languages, they will stop; or knowledge, it will be done away with.
There will be a time, future to Paul, when prophecy ceases, that is, the gift will disappear. God can, however, give a message of prophecy for a specific purpose. God knows we need a standard of truth that doesn’t change. Often the so-called prophecies of today contradict or modify the plain teaching of Scripture. The Greek word for cease is (G2673) καταργέω katargeō, which means (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “in the passive voice, to pass away or go out of existence.”
The same for special gifts of human languages that are unknown to the speaker. Again, God can do this, but it is not a normal occurrence as it was in the early church. The Greek word for stop is (G3973) παύω pauō, which means to stop or cease.
The same for special knowledge. The Greek word for done away with is (G2673) καταργέω katargeō, which means (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “in the passive voice, to pass away or go out of existence.”
Some comments:
Guzik – Paul is addressing the overemphasis the Corinthian Christians had on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He shows they should emphasize love more than the gifts, because the gifts are temporary “containers” of God’s work; love is the work itself. Therefore, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are appropriate for the present time, but they are not permanent. They are imperfect gifts for an imperfect time. (1 Corinthians 13 Commentary)
Hampton – “The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts
“Spiritual gifts were needed to aid in the growth and development of the early church. The need for those gifts came to an end when God’s will was completely revealed. In contrast, love is always a part of the church and its development. The prophecies of which the apostle spoke would be the inspired speaking of God’s message (1 Corinthians 14:3). This comes from the Greek word Katargeo, which means they would be abolished. Roy H. Lanier, Sr. says this is the same word used in Ephesians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14 (destroy); and 2 Corinthians 3:11. Thus, one could learn from such speaking (the written record of), but the continued use of Spirit-guided speaking would be brought to an end by God’s decree. In the same way, Paul said the Spirit-given knowledge would be abolished (1 Corinthians 12:8).
“Concerning tongues, Paul used the Greek word pauo. This would usually denote a willing cessation in contrast to a forced end. Tongues were used to confirm the fact that the revealed message was from God. When men stopped delivering Spirit-inspired messages, as Paul has said they would do at God’s command, then the use of tongues would stop of itself, or naturally. Remember that Jesus promised the apostles that the Spirit would guide them into “all truth” (John 16:13). Thus, we could safely say the inspired message would cease to be delivered at least by the time of the death of the last apostle (Jude 1:3). These things were temporary, lasting only until the whole faith was delivered to man (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).”
Personally, I am not a continuationist or a cessationist.
The continuationist holds that these special gifts are operative today in the church and regularly so. The cessationist holds that these special gifts are finished and done. I believe they continue but only rarely when God, the King of kings, overrides the normal for a purpose. I do not believe that the gift of speaking an unknown modern language is normal in the church, but I do know some people who when presenting the Gospel did not know the hearers’ language but spoke plainly without an accent.
V9 For we know in part and prophesy in part.
We (in particular, this refers to the Apostles) don’t know everything; we still need to learn. Consider how many letters were written after this was written. The last of these is the Revelation.
V10 But when that which is complete and whole comes, then that which is in part will be inoperative.
Most understand this to refer to the completed written revelation of God and His ways to the believers (from Pentecost to the Rapture), then special revelations, etc. were not needed lest there be confusion. Confusion arises because there are no Apostles alive to exemplify what is true from false. Apostles are those who knew Jesus personally in the flesh, followed Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, saw the physical Jesus after the Resurrection, and witnessed His ascension into heaven.
V11 When I was a child, I talked like a child; I understood like a child; I thought like a child, but when I became a man, I put away these childish ways.
The church was young and needed these gifts. Now, that we have a complete written revelation, it is not needed unless a specific need arises, as I wrote above. The Greek word for put away is (G2673) καταργέω katargeō, which means (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “in the passive voice, to pass away or go out of existence.”
V12 For now we see in a mirror a blurred image but then face-to-face. Now I know in part, but then I will know even, as I am known.
Paul is speaking of himself and those believers at that time. The perfect image is when we see Jesus personally. Most believers are already in heaven by reason of martyrdom or physical death.
V13 So now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
Faith (belief), hope (expectation), and love (as described here) are very important. But love, as described here, is God’s love and the foundation and life we are to live.
We learn:
- About God’s definition of love.
- About God’s revelation to humans.
Questions:
- Does your life measure up to God’s definition of love?
- Are you praying for God to make you more godly?