What is the meaning of perfect in 1 Corinthians 13:10?

Response

First Corinthians 13:10 states, “When the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with” (KJV). The ESV version phrases it as: “When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The “in part” or “partial” elements refer to the gifts of prophecy, knowledge, and tongues (verses 8–9). There will come a time when these gifts will cease because something superior (“that which is perfect”) will take their place. Perfect here means “complete”—the incomplete will be substituted with the complete. There is some discussion on what the arrival of the “perfect” entails. The two most common interpretations are the finalization of the Bible and the glorification of believers in heaven.

Our perspective is that the arrival of the “perfect” refers to the glorification of believers in heaven, or more precisely, the eternal state. The completion of the Bible did not bring an end to the gift of prophecy (preaching) or knowledge (understanding of Scripture). Presently, the church continues to be built up by Spirit-filled preachers and teachers who exercise these gifts. However, our comprehension is currently limited: “We know in part and we prophesy in part” «For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. », (1 Corinthians 13:9). When we reach heaven, the “partial” aspects will be replaced by the “perfect,” and preaching and teaching will no longer be necessary.

What about the gift of tongues, which is mentioned alongside prophecy and knowledge in 1 Corinthians 13:8 (but not in verse 9)? The specific wording of verse 8 might offer a clue: prophecies are said to “cease”; knowledge is said to “pass away”; and tongues are said to “be stilled” (in contrast to love, which “never fails”). Paul uses one Greek verb concerning the conclusion of prophecy and knowledge, and a completely different Greek verb regardingThe completion of tongues. The implication is that prophecy and knowledge will be “rendered inoperative or abolished” by an external force, but the gift of tongues will cease on its own. So, when the perfect comes, prophecy and knowledge are actively ended, but tongues will already have ended.

First Corinthians 13:11–12 says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” When shall we see face to face? When shall we know fully, even as we are fully known? This will occur when we pass from this life and enter God’s glorious presence in heaven «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. », (see 1 John 3:2). When we are glorified in heaven, the perfect will have come, and we will truly have put childish ways behind us.