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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is I Cor. 13:2 possible vs. I Cor. 13:9? | 1 Cor 13:2 | Chris | 8817 | ||
In I Cor. 13, Paul says in vs 2, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and undertand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." But, in vss 9,10 he states, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." Is it possible to prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, or not? |
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2 | Is I Cor. 13:2 possible vs. I Cor. 13:9? | 1 Cor 13:2 | Makarios | 8818 | ||
Chris, here is Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Cor. 13:9.. "But vindicating religion at the cost of our lives will profit nothing if we feel not the power of it; and true charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. If we feel none of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be burnt to ashes for the truth. Note, The most grievous sufferings, the most costly sacrifices, will not recommend us to God, if we do not love the brethren; should we give our own bodies to be burnt, it would not profit us. How strange a way of recommending themselves to God are those got into who hope to do it by burning others, by murdering, and massacring, and tormenting their fellow-christians, or by any injurious usage of them! My soul, enter not thou into their secrets. If I cannot hope to recommend myself to God by giving my own body to be burnt while I have no charity, I will never hope to do it by burning or maltreating others, in open defiance to all charity. II. He hints that these gifts are adapted only to a state of imperfection: We know in part, and we prophesy in part, v. 9. Our best knowledge and our greatest abilities are at present like our condition, narrow and temporary. Even the knowledge they had by inspiration was but in part. How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was heard even by apostles and inspired men! How much short do others come of them! But these gifts were fitted to the present imperfect state of the church, valuable in themselves, but not to be compared with charity, because they were to vanish with the imperfections of the church, nay, and long before, whereas charity was to last for ever. III. He takes occasion hence to show how much better it will be with the church hereafter than it can be here. A state of perfection is in view (v. 10): When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When the end is once attained, the means will of course be abolished. There will be no need of tongues, and prophecy, and inspired knowledge, in a future life, because then the church will be in a state of perfection, complete both in knowledge and holiness. God will be known then clearly, and in a manner by intuition, and as perfectly as the capacity of glorified minds will allow; not by such transient glimpses, and little portions, as here. The difference between these two states is here pointed at in two particulars: 1. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood: When I was a child, I spoke as a child (that is, as some think, spoke with tongues), I understood as a child; ephronoun—sapiebam (that is, "I prophesied, I was taught the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, in such an extraordinary way as manifested I was not out of my childish state’’), I thought, or reasoned, elogizomeµn, as a child; but, when I became a man, I put away childish things. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused and indistinct notions of things, have children, in comparison of grown men! And how naturally do men, when reason is ripened and matured, despise and relinquish their infant thoughts, put them away, reject them, esteem as nothing! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts and acquisitions in this world, when we come to heaven. We shall despise our childish folly, in priding ourselves in such things when we are grown up to men in Christ. 2. Things are all dark and confused now, in comparison of what they will be hereafter: Now we see through a glass darkly (ev ainigmati, in a riddle), then face to face; now we know in part, but then we shall know as we are known. Now we can only discern things at a great distance, as through a telescope, and that involved in clouds and obscurity; but hereafter the things to be known will be near and obvious, open to our eyes; and our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. God is to be seen face to face; and we are to know him as we are known by him; not indeed as perfectly, but in some sense in the same manner. We are known to him by mere inspection; he turns his eye towards us, and sees and searches us throughout. We shall then fix our eye on him, and see him as he is, 1 Jn. 3:2. We shall know how we are known, enter into all the mysteries of divine love and grace. O glorious change! To pass from darkness to light, from clouds to the clear sunshine of our Saviour’s face, and in God’s own light to see light! Ps. 36:9. Note, It is the light of heaven only that will remove all clouds and darkness from the face of God. It is at best but twilight while we are in this world; there it will be perfect and eternal day." |
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3 | Is I Cor. 13:2 possible vs. I Cor. 13:9? | 1 Cor 13:2 | Chris | 8827 | ||
Nolan, you quote Mr. Henry, "II. He hints that these gifts are adapted only to a state of imperfection: We know in part, and we prophesy in part, v. 9. Our best knowledge and our greatest abilities are at present like our condition, narrow and temporary. Even the knowledge they had by inspiration was but in part. How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was heard even by apostles and inspired men!" I previously would have agreed with Mr. Henry but only because, if I assume the gifts vs 2 are possible, with this view it is the only possible interpretation. But, even doing this I had that aggrevating feeling that the interpretation I gave these verses seemed doubtful at best. In truth I see no 'hinting' by Paul that vs. 1 and 2 are limited! Rather I see Paul concluding that Love is perfect(vs.8a), and he immedately starts writing about the limitations of gifts(vs.8b), specifically prophesy, tongues, and knowledge. Paul cant be suggesting human limitation in vs. 9 because he says even in the tongues of angles! I dont know of any other Scripture that speaks of a heavenly language but II Cor 12:4. With these facts in view, I am leaning toward the interpretation that Paul is exagerating to the point of impossibility in vs 1 and 2 to emphasis the point of Love. I see 'all faith' as perfect faith, including a perfect human faith (I deem this impossible) and a complete gift of faith (administered by the Holy Spirit, I see the gifts such as prophesy, knowledge, and faith as moment by moment gifts that change considering the situation. Therefore, I believe it is impossible to have all gifts of faith from the Holy Spirit.) I am now trying to consider whether this interpretation is allowable in the light of Mat. 17:20! If not, I will be forced to accept the limited interpretation I formerly had, and the one Mr. Henry had as well. Just my interpretation:-) GOD bless! |
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4 | Is I Cor. 13:2 possible vs. I Cor. 13:9? | 1 Cor 13:2 | Makarios | 8830 | ||
Dear brother Chris, I agree with you when you say, "With these facts in view, I am leaning toward the interpretation that Paul is exagerating to the point of impossibility in vs 1 and 2 to emphasis the point of Love. I see 'all faith' as perfect faith, including a perfect human faith (I deem this impossible) and a complete gift of faith (administered by the Holy Spirit, I see the gifts such as prophesy, knowledge, and faith as moment by moment gifts that change considering the situation. Therefore, I believe it is impossible to have all gifts of faith from the Holy Spirit.)" So in this light, my interpretation of this verse (or verse together with another verse) is the 'limited interpretation' that Mr. Henry has, and the one that you formerly had. So that is where I am at concerning this verse. I think that a 'broadening interpretation' of this verse is interesting, but I do not see where we could derive that based on the text. This is just my humble opinion! I hope that I have helped in some way.. Your brother in Christ, Nolan |
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