“PERFECT”

WHAT IS IT?
In I Corinthians 13:10 we read “that which is perfect” is coming. Is this Christ, a time, a thing or an event? In chapter 12, Paul wrote about nine spiritual gifts (12:8-10), and cautioned that unity among Christians must not be broken (12:25). One gift was the ability to speak a foreign language that had never been learned (12:10). This enabled some to preach the gospel to all (Mk 16:20). Jesus had told His disciples to “go preach the gospel to every creature,” which they did and miraculous signs followed which confirmed their message (Heb 2:3-4). At this time the gospel had not been written to prove what they preached, so miracles of healings, etc., were performed to confirm it was God’s message they preached.

Now we come to I Cor 13:8-10 where we are told when miracles (or “parts”) would cease. That would happen “when that which is perfect is come” (vs 10). The meaning of “perfect” (telion in Greek) is “brought to an end, finished.” It is neuter in gender so could not refer to Christ (masculine) or to the church (feminine). The “parts” (spiritual miraculous gifts) were done away when “the perfect” (God’s revealed will to man) is come. God’s revealed will in its final form (New Testament scriptures, 2 Tim 3:16; James 1:21-25) did away with the need for the “parts,” the miraculous spiritual gifts. Miracles were needed only in “the child age” of the church. [Ask for free booklet]