What does 1 Corinthians 13:10 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 13:10 is a passage within a larger section often referred to as the "Love Chapter," where the Apostle Paul discusses the superior value of love over all spiritual gifts and actions.

The verse states: "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." In a literal sense, Paul is contrasting partial, temporary things with something that is complete or perfect.

The "perfect" is commonly understood by many scholars and theologians to refer to the eventual coming of God's kingdom in its fullness, the second coming of Christ, or the completion of God's revelations to humanity.

Thus, the "in part" refers to the spiritual gifts and our current, imperfect understanding of divine truth, which are needed now but will become unnecessary when the complete revelation of God and His perfect kingdom are realized.

Historical Context

1 Corinthians was written by Paul in the mid-50s A.D. to the church in Corinth, a diverse and cosmopolitan city in ancient Greece.

The church was experiencing several issues, including division, immorality, and confusion regarding spiritual gifts.

Paul wrote this letter to address these problems and to guide the Christians in matters of faith and practice.

At the time, the early Christian community placed a significant emphasis on spiritual gifts like prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge, as these were seen as marks of God's presence and favor.

Paul's message put these gifts into perspective, emphasizing that they were temporary and should be exercised with love; without love they are meaningless.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse in various ways.

Orthodox, Catholic, and traditional Protestant interpretations often see "that which is perfect" as the fullness of God's revealed truth, whether in the eschaton (end times) or through the person of Christ and Scripture as the final revelation of God's will.

Charismatic and Pentecostal viewpoints may emphasize the continuation of spiritual gifts until that which is perfect comes, while Cessationist perspectives believe that the "perfect" has already come (either in Christ or with the completion of the New Testament canon), meaning certain spiritual gifts have ceased.

All these perspectives deal with the tension between present imperfections and the ultimate completion and perfection in the kingdom of God.

Practical Applications

Regardless of eschatological beliefs, this verse encourages Christians to practice humility and to prioritize love.

Given that our current understanding and spiritual manifestations are "in part," they should hold lightly to their particular knowledge and gifts and focus on love, which will never become obsolete.

It challenges believers to look beyond their immediate context and see the bigger picture of God's plan, to live in ways that prepare for this perfect state, exercising love as the greatest permanent gift.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 13:9 – "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part."
• 1 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."
• 1 Corinthians 8:2 – "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
• James 1:25 – "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."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text are:

• "perfect" (τέλειον, teleion): complete, mature, fully developed.
• "is come" (ἔλθῃ, elthē): arrives, happens, manifests.
• "shall be done away" (καταργηθήσεται, katargēthēsetai): abolished, rendered inoperative, cease.

The term "teleion" was often used to describe something that had reached its end or goal, implying fullness and completion. The verb "katargēthēsetai" strongly suggests an end to the former state. The anticipation in this term implies an active, future change.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient mythologies often included concepts of an age of perfection or completion.

For instance, many pagan religions had ideas of a golden age or an eschatological renewal of the world.

In Judaism, there are messianic expectations of a future perfect age.

In these contexts, there was often a contrast between the present flawed condition and a future ideal state.

Christian doctrine on the perfect coming to make the partial obsolete can be seen as related to these widespread ancient beliefs of renewal and eschatological fulfillment.

Scientific Perspectives

There isn't a direct relation between this verse and scientific understanding.

However, one might metaphorically link the progression of scientific knowledge, where theories and models are refined or replaced over time as understanding grows, to the spiritual concept of moving from partial to full understanding.

This analogy can help modern readers relate to the principle of transitioning from incomplete to complete knowledge, although the fields of science and spirituality have different methodologies and scopes.

Commentaries

Commentators have long discussed the meaning of the "perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13:10.

Some see it as the mature church, others as the canon of Scripture, and still, others as the return of Christ.

John MacArthur, a well-known evangelical preacher and author, views the perfect as the completion of God's revelation found in Scripture.

Matthew Henry, a classic commentator, saw it as the state of heaven where Christians would have perfect knowledge.

Gordon Fee, a Pentecostal theologian, suggests that the perfect refers to the eschatological end when believers will be made perfect in love.

The consensus among many is that this verse points believers to look forward to a time when things that are incomplete will be made whole.