When That Which Is Perfect Is Come

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-6-2026

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

 

Introduction:  “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

A.  Chapters 12-14 deal with spiritual gifts, both sign gifts, which were passing, and service gifts, which were permanent and viable today.

 

1.  Chapter 12 names the gifts.

 

2.  Chapter 13 gives the completion and finishing of the passing gifts listed in Chapter 12.

 

3. Chapter 14 gives the rules for the use of the most confusing of sign gift, tongues.

 

B.  The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is often called the “love chapter,” yet it is more than poetic—it is corrective.

 

1.  The church at Corinth was elevating spiritual gifts, particularly tongues, above spiritual maturity. Paul redirects their focus from the temporary to the eternal.

 

2.  In verse 10, Paul gives a decisive statement about the future.  There is something perfect coming—and when it arrives, everything partial will disappear.

 

3.  Verse 10 is emphatic in nature.  It is not an argument concerning the passing of gifts; it is a statement that puts an end to both their need and use.

 

4.  These verses are not a contrast between heaven and earth; but between partiality and completeness.

 

C.  I reemphasize that the church at Corinth was a carnal, divided, and confused one.  The Book of 1 Corinthians was not a commendation, but an open rebuke in each of its chapters.  Chapters 12-14 were used to address the misuse and abuse of sign gifts, especially the gift of tongues.

 

D.  I understand that this may upset some, but if they are not teachable, then this pastor cannot help them.  My work is to teach and preach the Bible.

 

E.  Now, what was “that which is perfect?”  I believe that the Bible is perfectly clear on the subject.  Now, we will dissect our verses for tonight.  What does your Bible say?

 

1.  Verse 8.  “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

 

a.  Identification of the gifts.  Three times in this verse, we see the word “shall.”  “Shall” is not “if”; it is “when.”  The three gifts mentioned were never meant to be permanent.  There were signs given in the absence of the Bible we hold in our hands.  We will look at the Word of God in a later verse.  Therefore, we see that these three gifts were partial.

 

b.  The function of the gifts.

 

1)  Prophecies: the gift of prediction: the ability to look into the future and see events not yet known.  God gave these men the ability to see the future.  Sages, Seers, Prophets. 

 

2)  Tongues: languages not naturally acquired or known to the speaker.  Last week, we said that every mention of tongues was a language unknown to the speaker but understood by the hearer.

 

3) Knowledge: to perceive or to understand.  This was not general knowledge, as we continue to seek knowledge in life, but a gift given to holy men of old who were used of God in the inspiration of the Scriptures.

 

c.  The termination of the gifts. 

 

1)  Prophecies shall fail.  Men today do not know what lies tomorrow. 

 

2)  Tongues shall cease.  All denominations must send their missionaries to language schools or tutors to learn other languages.

 

3)  Knowledge shall vanish away.  That which is perfect requires no additions or subtractions.  Thus, the three Sentinels of the Bible:  Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6. Revelation 22:18-19.

 

2.  Verse 9-10, 12.  Two of these gifts are mentioned in this verse: knowledge and prophecy. 

 

a.  Verse 9.  Both are described as “in part.”  They were never intended to be full or complete gifts and are referred to as “in part” or partial gifts.

 

b.  Verse 10, they were to be done away with, along with the gift of tongues.

 

c.  These men of God only knew what God gave to them personally as described in verse 12.  “For now we see through a glass, darkly… now I know in part.  The glass was a mirror of God’s Word, dimly lit and unclear, while “that which is perfect” would be a clear one.  This was spiritual sight, not physical.

 

3.  From Genesis to Revelation, God gave His Word progressively—piece by piece, truth by truth—until the day came when that which was complete replaced that which was partial.

 

a.  Those in the modern-day tongues movement interpret “that which is perfect” as the Second Coming of Christ.  This neither aligns with prophecy nor with the Word of God.

 

b.  The context of “that which is perfect” is Paul’s knowing, speaking, and revelation.  Our knowing today is through “that which is perfect,” the King James Bible.  We have nothing else, nor do we need anything else.

 

4.  The Word of God.

 

a.  The Word of God is perfect - Psalms 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

b.  The Word of God is complete - 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

c.  The Word of God is pure - Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

d.  The Word of God is eternal -  Psalms 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

 

e.  The Word of God is incorruptible - 1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

f.  The Word of God is sufficient - 2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

g.  The Word of God is final - Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  (19)  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

 

h.  Thank God tonight, we are not left in the dark. We are not dependent upon signs, nor dreams, nor voices in the night. We have a more sure word of prophecy. The completed, preserved, and perfect Word of God. When that which is perfect is come, that which is in part is done away—and thank God, we are no longer living in the partial, but in the perfect. The question tonight is not, ‘Is the Word enough?’ The question is, ‘Will we believe it, obey it, and stand upon it?”

 

2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: