What exactly is "that which is perfect” in 1 Cor. 13:10 (below)?

Paul, at the time of its writing, says a coming time will mark a significant change in how God would reveal knowledge of the truth for this grace age to its grace believers. At that time the ‘knowledge gifts,’ being unnecessary, will cease.

“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.

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹² For Now (at the time of Paul’s writing 1Cor.) we see through a glass, darkly; but Then face to face (in full unveiled view): Now I (Paul) know in part; but Then shall I (Paul) know even as also I am known.”

(1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (KJV)

In considering this question, we have no interest in appealing to Bible “scholars,” commentaries, a preacher’s study notes, or denominational doctrine for enlightenment. Let’s now see what the Holy Scriptures teach us of this verse, in its context. Paul founded “the church of God, which is at Corinth” (1Cor 1:2, cf. Acts 18:1–17). This letter was only Paul’s 2^nd epistle (~AD 53–57), after Romans. Paul here in 1Cor 13 was, among other things, correcting issues of immorality, and the misuse of the knowledge gifts of the Spirit that were occurring at that time. Paul then devoted much of 1 Cor. 14 to correct these immature believers in their practice of the ‘knowledge gifts,’ to be used for “edifying” and “understanding” of the truth (e.g., 1Cor 14:15-31). “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Cor. 14:26)

There have mainly been three interpretations concerning the meaning of the phrase “when that which is perfect is come,” as seen below.

1) Some people believe that it is a reference to us dying and going to heaven,

2) Others argue that it refers to when Jesus returns to earth.

3) Others affirm that it refers to the completed Bible, which negates the necessity of the Acts period ‘knowledge gifts” listed in verses 8-9 (above).

In this study, we will systematically evaluate each of these views to see which one agrees with the context of the verse, in both its near and remote context.

1. Is “When That Which Is Perfect Is Come” a reference to Us Dying and Going to Heaven?

Let’s take another look at the verse and phrase in question. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:10). This verse says nothing about us ‘going to heaven’ or anywhere, but it does teach that something is ‘coming to us.’ Something coming to us and us going somewhere are two completely different situations.  

Paul continued; “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Cor. 13:12) The words “face to face” speaks of coming close to see someone or something physically or spiritually. But, often, because of verse 12, 1 Cor. 13:10 is conflated with 1 John 3:2 (below). But, 1 Cor. 13:12 and 1 John 3:2 (below) are not cross-references; their contexts are discussing different issues.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we (the believers of Israel) shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2 (KJV)

Because of the words of a famous hymn, verse 2 (above), “for we shall see him as he is” (Rev. 1:7) is erroneously used to explain 1 Cor 13:12’s phrase “face to face.” It is then wrongly assumed that 1 Cor. 13:10, “when that which is perfect is come” is used as descriptive of us going to heaven and seeing Jesus for who He really is. Then we’ll no longer wonder what He looks like, Israel will actually see Him “face to face.” (cf. Zech. 12:10) So, 1 Jn 3:1-2 really refers to Jesus’ 2^nd coming to Israel, when “every eye shall see Him,” not us going to heaven.

But, a hymnal is not our authority and not the inspired “word of God.” Just because someone wrote a hymn, does not mean that we are to accept the hymn for sake of tradition. We should discard the hymn and believe the Bible for what it says rather than that what it is presumed to teach. Hymns are to be written based on Bible truth as the authority, not the hymnal. It will save us disappointment and misery when we realize that the opinions of men are not going to profit us in eternity.

The phrase “when that which is perfect is come” has nothing to do with us dying and going to heaven. It’s talking about the completed “word of God” coming to us, not us going to a place. The real reason why people (particularly Charismatics) take the view of us dying going to heaven in reference to 1 Cor. 13:10 is so that their spirituals gifts—especially tongues—can be viewed as still operating; they say, the spiritual gifts will not cease until we go to heaven. This is a very faulty position to take, for there is nothing in 1 Cor. 13 about dying and going to heaven. On the authority of the Scriptures, we must reject this view.

2. Is “When That Which Is Perfect Is Come” a reference to When Jesus Comes Back to Earth?

This view is similar to view #1 because it too is based on a faulty reading of 1 John 3:1-2.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2 (KJV)

Certainly, here in 1 John 3:2, John as an Apostle of Israel, is speaking to believing Israel in anticipation of Jesus Christ’s return to planet Earth, at His Second Coming, which is “the hope of Israel” (Jer. 14:8). But, to link this to 1 Cor. 13:12 and then interpret v10 in light of it, it is to read something into Paul’s writings that the Apostle did not write. Despite what the Scofield Reference Bible has in its marginal notes, 1 Cor. 13:12 and 1 John 3:2 are not cross-references—the contexts are discussing separate issues. As it is said, a text without a context is a pretext (subterfuge)! We must consider contexts whenever looking at any verse.

Additionally, to say “that which is perfect is come” is a person, is to support strange and awkward grammar. Do you actually think that Jesus Christ would be called “that which is perfect?” It is quite clear that this phrase is referring to an inanimate object, not a person. The phrase “that which is perfect is come” of 1 Cor. 10:13 does not refer to Jesus Christ or His return.

Modern bible translations re-translate 1 Cor. 13:10 in order to make its teaching less clear, probably in attempt to make it more appealing to those who want the verse to support their denominational doctrine. If left alone, the verse would put their religious system out of business! The Ryrie Study Bible, New American Standard Version, for example, reads in 1 Cor. 13:10, “but when ‘the perfect’ comes, the partial will be done away.” Its footnote says, “The perfect. A reference to Christ’s second coming.” Nothing could be further from the truth; the context does not allow such a strange view!

The real reason why people, particularly Charismatics, take this view of “that which is perfect” refers to Jesus Christ’s return is, like view #1, so that the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues can be viewed as still operating. It’s said by them that the spiritual gifts will not cease until Jesus comes back. Like view #1, this is a very faulty position to take, for there is nothing in 1 Cor. 13 about Jesus coming back to Earth. On the authority of the Scriptures, we must reject this view as well.

3. Is “When That Which Is Perfect Is Come” a reference to When the Bible Is Completed?

Let’s take another look at the verse whose phrase is in question: “But when that which is perfect (complete) is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:10). As previously mentioned, this verse says nothing about us going anywhere, but it does teach that something is coming to us. The question is, “What was it that was coming?” What was coming was the completed “word of God.” We should look again at the verse in its context.

“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. ⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰But when that which is perfect (Gk., teleious, complete) is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now (during the Acts period) we see through a glass, darkly; but then (when “the word of God” is “complete”)” face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ¹³ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor. 13:8-13)

1 Corinthians 13 is the heart of Paul’s three-chapter discourse on spiritual gifts and “the dispensation of the grace of God.” The Corinthians were spiritually immature, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal (fleshly), even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2) It is in this context that Paul tells them they will soon have full revelation of the completed “word of God” to replace the imperfect ‘knowledge gifts.’

They had spiritual gifts (1Cor. 1:7), but they were misusing and abusing them (1 Cor. 12:1–14:40). Rather than focusing on sound doctrine to build up “the body of Christ,” the Corinthians, like today’s charismatics, were too engaged in emotional experiences, especially the gift of tongues (see the 40 verses of 1 Cor. 14). Paul wrote chapters 12-14 as correction, to show them that their Christian meetings were not functioning properly, and if they did not correct their thinking, when the spiritual gifts would fall away, their Christian lives would fall apart!

• 1 Cor. 13:11: “When I was a child, I spake as a child.” This would be a reference to the gift of tongues (v8), the ability to speak forth God’s Word in intelligent human languages they never had formally learned.
• 1 Cor. 13:11: “When I was a child… I understood as a child.” This would be a reference to the gift of knowledge (v8), the supernatural ability of knowing and understanding deep spiritual truths of God’s Word before they were written down in Scripture (see v2).
• 1 Cor. 13:11: “When I was a child… I thought as a child.” This would be a reference to the gift of prophecy (v8), the ability to speak and preach and miraculously identify God’s Word before it was fully written, particularly in reference to predicting the future.
• 1 Cor. 13:11: “But when I became a man, I put away childish things.” This would be spiritual maturity, when all revelation from God is given. It is then that we do away with the immature things.

Paul wrote that there was coming a day when the gift of prophecy would fail, the gift of tongues would cease, and the gift of knowledge would vanish away (verse 8). The “church… the Body of Christ” would move away from doctrinal immaturity and into doctrinal maturity. In other words, the completed revelation from God would be given, and this would bring about mature saints, people who fully grasped what God wanted them to know;

“he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph. 4:11-14)

Let us look again at 1 Cor. 13:12: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I (Paul) know in part; but then shall I (Paul) know even as also I am known.” Paul acknowledged that he had not yet received all of the information God wanted him to have and give to us. Then in 2 Cor. 12:1, Paul wrote “I will (yet) come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” It was years afterward that Paul wrote his ‘prison epistles’ of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1& 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. These present the full revelation of God for this present “dispensation of the Grace of God” (Eph. 3:2). Paul wrote in Col. 1:25-26 that one of his divinely-ordained roles was to “complete” God’s Word.

“… I ((Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me (Paul) for you (Gentiles), to fulfil (Gk. pleroo, complete) the word of God; ²⁶Even (that is) the mystery (“the secret” plan of God, Rom. 16:25)” which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (Col. 1:25-26)

We learn the knowledge that God first revealed to Paul by reading his epistles (Romans through Philemon). His last seven epistles, his highest, came AFTER the books of Acts was closed. The book of Acts covers about 30-year period, while there was a transition from Israel “under the Law” to “the body of Christ” … under grace. Thus, Paul wrote; “… for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14b)

So, “when that which is perfect is come” is a reference to when limited knowledge and prophesying (speaking forth) are done away… soon after the book of Acts. “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away (Gk. kartargeo, put away).” This is talking about the time when the Bible’s canon of books is complete; to include All thirteen of Paul’s revelatory inspired epistles, being added into the written “word of God,” as Scripture!

Once Paul wrote his last epistle (2 Tim.), the Bible was “complete.” There was no more revelation to be received from God for this age of grace. “All scripture (Gk. graphe, the written word) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ (so) That the man of God may be perfect (complete), thoroughly (fully) furnished unto all good works.) (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

This then is the only view that the context of 1 Cor. 13:10 allows. God would have us to grow up spiritually, (see #3), not when we go to heaven (view #1) nor when Jesus comes back (see #2). God would have us to mature now... as those who have grown in “the grace and knowledge of the Lord.” (cf. 2Peter 1:2, 3:18)

The word “perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 is not sinless perfection, it is the ‘completion’ of God’s revelation (the Holy Bible) and the spiritual maturity it brings to those who read and believe it. Notice some examples of how the Scriptures use the term “perfect” in that sense:

• Philippians 3:15: “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
• Colossians 1:28: “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
• Colossians 4:12: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
• 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: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
• Hebrews 5:14: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full (complete, mature) age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Conclusion:

So, which is these answers below explains the phrase “when that which is perfect is come” of 1 Cor. 13:10?

1) Some people believe that it is a reference to us dying and going to heaven.

2) Others believe that it refers to when Jesus returns to earth.

3) Others believe that it refers to the completed Bible. This is the only sound view in the light of context, grammar, and in light of Scripture. 1 Cor. 13:10 is referring to the completed canon of Scripture of the first century A.D., then including Paul’s revelation of the mystery as found in his thirteen epistles to the mainly Gentile “church, body of Christ.” (Eph. 1:22b-23a)

There are no spiritual gifts operating today because we live during the new grace-age of “the dispensation of the grace of God” and we have the completed 66-book Holy Bible as God’s full revelation for us as members of “the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a).

If we are to be people of faith, we must throw away our doctrinally-deficient hymns, discard our faulty traditional theological systems, our traditions, and break away from our long-held pre-conceived religious ideas. We need to embrace the simple truths of the Bible and the uniqueness of the age of grace that we live in today… as we learn of it from Paul’s thirteen epistles that are written to and for the members of “the church… the body of Christ,” not just the 6 Paul’s epistles written during the Acts period.

In the end, God’s written “Word” alone, not theological systems, not Bible commentaries, not preachers or teachers will matter; “all truth” of the word is to be revealed to us now by the innermost anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (Jn. 16:13)

“¹⁶ (I, Paul) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling (for us), and what (are) the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (believers), (Ephesians 1:16-18 (KJV)

Are there Apostles and Prophets today?

Perhaps you’ve seen men and women on so-called Christian TV claiming the title “Apostle so and so” or “Prophet so and so.” These then would be false Apostles and false prophets.

Let me explain the work of the real apostles of Paul’s day. “The church, which is His Body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a) is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20), referring to grace apostles and grace prophets who were co-workers with Paul in his day. (I Cor. 12:28-29). The work of these apostles and prophets was of God and foundational in nature. The word “apostle” in Greek is apostolos, meaning “a sent one,” sent by God. The prophets of Paul’s day spoke forth the same truth as Paul spoke, it was not “future telling.”

If 2,000 years later we’re still laying the foundation of the Church, there is something seriously wrong! In their day, the true Apostles and Prophets could speak for God by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaking verbally with the same inspired authority that Paul experienced when he wrote his epistles.

Paul could not be everywhere at once, and so God needed other Apostles and prophets who at that time could speak the same truth with the same authority that Paul enjoyed as he wrote his epistles. Once the Bible was complete, however, “that which is perfect” was come, and the gift of prophecy ceased (I Cor. 13:8-10). When the gift of prophecy ceased, of course, there were no more apostles and prophets. Within the pages of His Holy Word, God has already said all that He needed to say.

Note that Jesus closed the last book of the Bible, “Revelation,” He pronounced a curse on any who would add to what was “written in this book.”

“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:” (Rev. 22:18).

With this in mind, it’s not just wrong to call a man an apostle today, it’s dangerous. Today no man can demonstrate “the signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12). None can speak and act with the authority of the written “word of God.”  “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV)