When That Which is Perfect is Come

Frequently Asked Questions About Christianity, Answered Honestly!

When That Which is Perfect is Come?
-by Tony Warren

1st Corinthians 13:9-10
"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."

A question which is frequently asked by Christians is how are we to understand the passages of 1st Corinthians 13:8-13. Theologians over the years have answered this in many different ways. Some say it means that miracles ceased when the Bible was completed. That miracles ceased at the close of Canon I do not deny, but these verses do not prove that. These scriptures declare that 'that which is in part' shall be done away with. This is knowledge and prophecy (1 Cor 13:10). Thus that which is perfect cannot refer to the written Word being complete, because Holy Canon has been complete nearly 2000 years, yet we still have imperfect or 'partial knowledge.' And that partial knowledge would cease, is a requirement for that which is perfect to come. It is then impossible for these passages to mean the perfect coming is when the Bible was completed. For we still have knowledge in part, not complete knowledge.

The key to understanding this is in looking at the whole chapter in it's proper context, and discerning exactly when 'partial knowledge' shall cease. This can only be at the consummation or completeness of all things. It is when Christ returns in Glory and the mystery of the knowledge of God is complete.

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."

Until the second advent, we will always know in part (have partial knowledge) because the mystery of God is not finished or complete [teleo]. We will always see the things of God indistinctly and imperfectly. In this life we will never know, as we are known of God. This will not happen until the perfect [teleios] or completion is come. And That happens only in the consummation. Only when that seventh trumpet shall sound. Thus it is impossible for these verses to be speaking of anything that occurs before Christ's second advent.

So how do we understand these controversial verses? We understand them in the light of scripture by the systematic and careful study, in context, one verse at a time. With this in mind, let's look at verse eight:

1st Corinthians 13:8

"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." Charity [agape] love is Godly unselfish love which is always seeking the best for others (thus, the translation in the KJV charity). It manifests itself in patience, kindness, lack of envy, lack of pride, eschewing (shunning) of evil, and rejoicing in the truth. Because it is not a worldly secular love in the flesh, but a perfect spiritual love in true benevolence or charity.

The word faileth [ekpipto] means to fall away or out of. From the root words [ex], meaning out, and [pipto] meaning fall. We shall never fall out of agape (love) because once truly Saved (and because we have Christ in us), we shall love eternally. Both in this world, and in the world to come. For God is Love, and we who are born of God have love that never fails.

1st John 4:8

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

A true Christian shall never fall out of this type of Love, for we have the love of Christ. In fact, when that which is complete or perfect is come, love shall be stronger that ever as we will not have the flesh to struggle against it.

The Child of God never loses Charity [agape]. But prophecies, they shall fail [katargeo], meaning to cease. Why? Because when we are with Christ in the completion of all things, there is no need for prophets. We will speak with God face to face. Likewise languages (tongues) shall cease [pauo] or stop, because we will all be like Him (1st John 3:2) of one spiritual language. No need for human language or interpreters of tongues, because we will be a different creation. And knowledge shall 'vanish away' [katargeo] or cease. And in this it is important to remember here the context. This is speaking of knowledge 'in part' vanishing away. In other words, When that which is perfect is come, partial knowledge will disappear, as the mystery of God will be perfect and we will then have complete knowledge. Again, proving that these verses can ONLY be at Christ's second advent when knowledge is no longer partial. As illustrated in verse nine:

1st Corinthians 13:9

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part." Here again, the illustration that it is only partial knowledge and partial prophecy that will be ceasing, because when Christ comes He will prophecy (declare God's Word) in full and we will understand and have full knowledge of prophecy. There is no more mystery of God. This verse simply declares that now (on this earth) we have partial knowledge of things, and partial understanding of prophecy, because we do not know the mystery of God and thus cannot understand it all. ..but the exception is made in verse ten:

1st Corinthians 13:10

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

When that which is perfect [teleios] or complete is come, then all our partial knowledge and partial understanding of what is to be (prophecy and knowledge) will be done away with. Because then (and only then) will we understand the whole prophecy and have full knowledge. That which is Perfect I believe refers to Christ's second advent because He is the completeness and fulfilling of all things.

Hebrews 9:11

"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;"

Here, that word perfect is the same word [teleios] as in 1st Corinthians chapter 13. He (Christ) is the perfect or complete that when He returns will take away all our partial understanding. In heaven, which is a state of absolute perfection or completion, that which is in part or imperfect shall have no part. All imperfection will vanish away as the mystery of God is finished. And this is what verse ten means when it says, 'when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' ..and verse eleven uses the analogy of human growth and understanding to illustrate this:

1st Corinthians 13:11

"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."

Here God is equating our life on this earth now, as being children who have little knowledge and understanding of the world of adults. The knowledge which we now have, compared with that which we shall have in the consummation in the Kingdom of heaven, is as that which is possessed by children, compared with that which adults have. And as a Child is humble and trusts His father's word that everything will be all right and they need not fear, so we are Children of God in this world who cannot understand in full, but who likewise trust our Heavenly father that though we have child-like understanding, all will be all right and we need not fear.

Yet when Children grow up and have greater knowledge, they put away their childish things. Likewise God is equating our life on this earth as being children who have little understanding, but when that which is perfect is come, He equates it to us growing up and putting away our childish understanding of things and understanding fully. Because then we will have a spiritual heavenly body, as compared to the earthly.

1st Corinthians 15:48-49

"As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

In these verses the change God has for those who will receive the image of the heavenly, God illustrates or likens unto the change from childhood to manhood. As the speech, thoughts and goals of the child give way to that of man, so is our moving from this plain of existence to the next. ..and this is expounded upon more in verse twelve:

1st Corinthians 13:12

"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."

Because now as spiritual children, we see as through a glass darkly. The Greek word translated darkly [en ainigma] means in a type of riddle or something that is unclear. It's from the root we get the word 'enigma' from. The things of God are somewhat a mystery or enigma to us now. To use an analogy, it is as if in this life we are looking through a clouded or frosted glass where we don't see the sharp image of what is in view because the glass is obscured. What we see is like enigmatic forms and shapes which give us some idea of what we are looking at which are identifiable, but not enough to see all of God's wonderful and marvelous truths and workings. This is how we see God now, but then (when that which is perfect is come) shall we see God 'face to face.' As when one looks upon something 'in person,' clearly, and not through an obscure or darkened medium.

Exodus 33:11

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."

For then we shall be in the literal presence of the Glory of the Lord. This is speaking of the end of the world, not something which occurs in our lifetime. When the true tabernacle in heaven is opened, and we see the Glory of the Lord, then has the Perfect come, and then shall we be like Him.

1st John 3:2

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Here again is the mystery in that 'it doth not yet appear what we shall be.' Here is the knowledge in part. But God declares that when He shall appear, THEN we shall see Him and be like Him. We shall see Him face to face just as He is in all His glory, for we shall be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye into our 'spiritual' bodies where this is possible. Thus in all these things we understand how now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. And how now we know in part, but then shall we know even as also we are known. ..and we have the conclusion in this final verse thirteen:

1st Corinthians 13:13

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Now in this life remains or continues faith, hope and charity. But charity is the one that is eternal. It abides 'now' but also into eternity, therefore, the greatest of these three is charity. Because agape charity or Love is God. God in us is that gift we give wanting nothing in return, and it never fails. Partial prophecy and partial knowledge fails, hope and faith will be rewarded, but Love lasts forever. The twenty four elder, the angels, and the spirits around the throne of Heaven sing praises to God for ever, because they have eternal love. The greatest, which will forever be with us who are in Christ.

May the Lord who is Gracious above all, be merciful and give us the wisdom and understanding to come to some 'partial knowledge' of His most Holy Word.

Amen!

Peace,

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Created 6/24/02 / Last Modified 6/24/02
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