1cor 6:12-15 – the spiritual mind thinks towards eternity 1cor 12:4-7 - the spiritual mind thinks...

THAT WHICH IS PERFECT

1Corinthians 13:8-13

Introduction 1Cor 6:12-15 – The

spiritual mind thinks towards eternity

1Cor 12:4-7 - The spiritual mind thinks towards unity and humility

1Cor 13 - offers a view compatible with both of these ideas – prefer love above gifts

AN END TO MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS

8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done

away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy

in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the

partial will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (NAS)


Knowledge

WisdomKnowledg

e

Prophecy

ProphecyDistinguishing Spirits

Tongues

TonguesInterpreta

tion of Tongues

Confirmation

MiraclesHealings

Faith8Love never fails; but if there

are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there

are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will

be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NAS)

Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge

categorically and logically represent

the entire list of gifts listed in 1Cor

12


Limited information created a need for special assistance

Due to this limited information they had a need for direct individual guidance

The very nature of direct individual guidance presents a need for individual confirmation


A universal standard of guidance removes the need for individual guidance

Such a standard would require a universal confirmation thus removing any need for individual conformation

The completion and confirmation of Scripture has thus removed the need for any individual revelation or confirmation

“IN PART” – THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what

person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ

and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to

you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into

which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NAS)

Limited Revelatio

n:Areas of Certainty

Areas of Uncertainty


14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to

them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 “For these men

are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is

what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:14–16 (NAS)

Limited Revelatio




34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘THE LORD

SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A

FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you

crucified.” Acts 2:34–36 (NAS)

Limited Revelatio




38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus

Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to

Himself.” Acts 2:38–39 (NAS)

Limited Revelatio



Inclusion of the Gentiles into the “Promise”

Acts 10:19-16,28; 11:15-17

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION

10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I

used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I

did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully

known. 1 Corinthians 13:10–12 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)

Strong’s Greek #5046“wanting nothing

necessary to completeness…full

grown, adult, of full age, mature”


6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature (teleios); a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who

are passing away; 1 Corinthians 2:6 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)





20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature (teleios).

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)





15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect (teleios), have this

attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will

reveal that also to you; Philippians 3:15 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)





12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus

Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect (teleios)and fully assured

in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)





14 But solid food is for the mature (teleios), who

because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 (NAS)

Perfect(teleios)





9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done

away. 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 (NAS)

Logical Contrast between the perfect and the partial

For such a contrast to be valid the perfect and the partial must be in the same realm

Example – we would not compare the taste of apples to the texture of oranges


9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done

away. 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 (NAS)

The nature of the “partial” then tells us the nature of the “perfect”

The “partial” clearly refers to revelatory gifts, thus the “perfect” must refer to revelation as well


The “partial” was used to bring about the “perfect”

The Holy Spirit provided the gifts which were used to reveal the gospel mystery (John 16:13; Eph 3:3-5)

Once the “perfect” came there is no more need for the “partial”


“When I was a child” a contrast between the immature and mature

Children lack understanding due to lack of information

The mature adult should have a clearer understanding allowing for more mature reasoning

11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a

child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away

with childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NAS)


The figure plays on the poor quality of ancient mirrors

“dimly” – “…an obscure thing” (Strong’s)

The image reflected is contrasted with seeing “face to face” i.e. seeing little detail vs. seeing the complete picture

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part,

but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully

known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NAS)

CONCLUSION – APPLICATION TO US

Gifts were to be tools used to achieve greater unity and edification

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have

become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy,

and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love,

I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I

surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (NAS)


Gifts were to be tools used to achieve greater unity and edification

A divisive attitude regarding gifts made them essentially useless

The need for gifts merely pointed out their weakness

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your

thinking be mature…22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church

assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

1 Corinthians 14:20–23 (NAS)


We need to realize that we have

everything needed for faith, growth,

and unity

11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but

then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also

have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three;

but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11–13 (NAS)

1cor 6:12-15 – the spiritual mind thinks towards eternity 1cor 12:4-7 - the spiritual mind thinks...

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