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NASB | 1 Corinthians 13:10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. |
Subject: What does "the perfect" mean? |
Bible Note: The Material bellow which is an extract from, http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/26/the-whe...rfect/#more-433 has been sent to me, and I think could very well be of interest to all who read this thread. Every blessing. OldPilgrim What Is the “Perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10? It seems there are almost as many views of “the perfect” as there are commentators who write about 1 Corinthians 13:8–13. Space on a blog does not permit a full investigation into each of these, but rather a cursory explanation of the major views. The Different Views (1) Some (such as F.F. Bruce) argue that love itself is the perfect. Thus when the fullness of love comes, the Corinthians will put away their childish desires. (2) Some (such as B.B. Warfield) contend that the completed canon of Scripture is the perfect. Scripture is described as “perfect” in James 1:25, a text in which the same word for “mirror” (as in v. 12) is found (in James 1:23). Thus partial revelation is done away when the full revelation of Scripture comes. (3) Some (such as Robert Thomas) contend that the mature church is the perfect. This view is primarily based on the illustration of verse 11 and on the close connection between this passage and Eph. 4:11–13. The exact timing of the church’s “maturity” is unknown, though it is closely associated with the completion of the canon, and the end of the apostolic era (cf. Eph. 2:20). (4) Some (such as Thomas Edgar) see the believer’s entrance into the presence of Christ (at the moment of death) as the perfect. This view accounts for the personal aspect of Paul’s statement in verse 12. Paul personally experienced full knowledge when he entered Christ’s presence at his death (cf. 2 Cor. 5:8). (5) Some (such as Richard Gaffin) see the return of Christ (and the end of this age) as the perfect. This is also the view of most continuationists. Thus, when Christ comes back (as delineated in chapter 15), the partial revelation we know now will be made complete. (6) Some (such as John MacArthur) view the eternal state (in a general sense) as the perfect. This view accounts for the neuter of to teleion (as a reference to a general state of events and not a personal return of Christ), and also allows for the obscurity of revelation to continue into the Millennial Kingdom. This view overlaps with both numbers 4 and 5 above in that, according to this view: “For Christians the eternal state begins either at death, when they go to be with the Lord, or at the rapture, when the Lord takes His own to be with Himself” (John MacArthur, First Corinthians, p. 366). To be continued. |