1 Corinthians 13:8, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

Some Christians who reject the present day manifestations of the Holy Spirit try to use Paul’s own words against him.  They take the following verses to mean that when the “completeness” comes (i.e., “the Bible”), the gifts will no more be needed.  However, please read carefully these important words from Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:8-9, “8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.”

Accordingly, the “completeness” Paul refers to is not the Bible, otherwise when the disciples were finished writing the Bible “knowledge” would have passed away too!  Likewise, most scholars today believe “completeness or perfection” is referring to the resurrection body.  At the resurrection of the Christ the Christian’s body will be perfect and complete.  Everyone will be in the presence of the Lord face-to-face, thus spiritual gifts and human knowledge will no longer be needed for every believer will know God clearly.

Plus, Paul makes his point even stronger in the following verses when he writes, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known,” 1 Cor. 13:12.  As a result, as Paul continues to write in the next chapter to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts” and “do not forbid speaking in tongues” it is obvious Paul never believed the gifts were going to cease until everyone is face to face with Jesus!

Reflection

Do you believe the gifts of the Spirit will never cease until Jesus comes back?

Action

  1. Has anyone ever tried to discourage you from using the gifts of the Spirit?
  2. Remind anyone who thinks the gifts have passed away, that the gifts will be around as long as there is knowledge.
  3. Never stop operating in the gifts of the Spirit until Jesus comes back!