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Singapore Moses
Greek: teleios (G5046) is used to refer perfect/that which has reached an end. ✿ It means Prophecies that have been fulfilled have reached an end. ✿ Tongues and knowledge will be superseded by a more complete knowledge and means of communication.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
First Corinthians 13:10 says, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (KJV). The ESV puts it this way: "When the perfect comes, the partial will pass awa...
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Billy P Eldred
The way that I understand this verse, the word translated perfect in this passage refers to a "state" that is the opposite of our current state of limited understanding. In other words, when we achieve a state of complete knowledge and understanding. Paul is, I think, encouraging us to realize our limited state of understanding now and to look forward to the time (whenever that will be, at resurrection or just spiritual maturity or when we are reunited with Jesus at The Rapture, whenever) when we have complete understanding. Paul may even just be encouraging us to grow spiritually and teaching us to use Love as the base of our growth.
Craig Mcelheny
I agree with your initial conclusion, i.e. the ‘perfect’ will be the eternal state, when we in glory see God face to face. However, this is more of a commitment to the timing of the ‘perfect’ and not a description of the actual essence of the ‘perfect’. The eternal state ties the ‘perfect’ to God’s glory, but what is His glory? The short answer is His agape love. Strong’s defines the word ‘perfect’ as: complete. Aside from the finished work of Jesus’ death on the cross, to my knowledge there is only one thing in the NT that is completed. In 1 Jn. 4:17-18 we find that agape love is perfected/completed (v17) and upon completion it casts out fear (v18). Fear is still with us today. Obviously the ‘perfect’ is not here yet, but those resurrected at the Rapture will receive their glorified bodies, and be perfected/completed in the express image (Heb. 1:3 NKJV) of God’s nature, the radiance of His glory (Heb. 1:3 NASB). When the Trinity said, “Let us make man in our image” their intent was to rid man of his sinful nature over a protracted period of time, and change him into a spirit being, completed in the glory of God. This is not exclusive to man, but it pertains to the whole Creation as shown in Romans 8:18-25. It states “ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” Rom. 8:20-21. God’s glory and His agape love go hand in hand. This can be seen in Jn. 17:21-26. In verse 21 Jesus asks the Father that those whom the Father has chosen would be one as the Father is in Him, and He in the Father. In verse 22, we see that the mechanism for being one is the gift of God’s glory to those whom God has chosen. It reads, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” This has to be the Holy Spirit. He is given to us as “the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” Eph. 1:14. Then in Jn. 17 verse 26, we see that the glory that is in us, and makes us one with the Father and the Son, is equated to God’s agape love: “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." From 1 Corinthians 13:12 we know that the ‘perfect’ comes when we are face to face with Jesus. It is then that we will be the righteousness of God and know the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:9-10). It is at the resurrection that we shall be perfected (Phil. 3:11-12). 1 Jn. 2:29 tells us that when we know (eido: to see, be aware, behold) that Jesus is righteous, we will know (gnosko: be aware, perceive, understand) that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. And 1 Jn. 3:2 tells us that when Jesus is revealed, “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Jesus is revealed at His Second Coming. It is at the Rapture that the mystery of Christ’s will, will be made known to those on earth and in heaven, that our inheritance is to be completed in His glory (Eph. 1:7-12). 1 Pet. 5:4 tells us “when the Chief Shepherd appears, we will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. And, Col. 3:4 tells us “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” It is then that we will be forever free from our sinful nature. The victory is declared in 1 Jn. 3:9 “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” And the reason is declared in 1 Jn. 3:8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
James Kraft
When we trust Jesus as the only way of salvation apart from works, He imputes His perfect righteousness to us without works. Romans 4:6. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. When we believe John 6:40, or John 3:16-18 or John 5:24 or John 6:47 He takes all our sin and GIVES us His perfect righteousness. First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. We have eternal life by faith in His Son based on our sin debt, past, present, and future sins are all paid. We can no longer be condemned. John 3:18. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. Romans 11:6 AMAZING GRACE, JESUS PAID IT ALL AND WE PAID 0. IT IS FREE, or not at all because no sinner can redeem himself.
Mark Vestal
God's Word had not yet been completed (perfected) while Paul preached the unique gospel being given to him by Christ from heaven, (Col 1:25-26). There would no longer be a need for miracles, signs and wonders once God's perfect Word was complete, "when that which is perfect has come" (1 Cor. 13:10). Let's also add context and read the next two verses. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12: "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 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." Paul is saying that he currently only 'partly knows' what Christ wants him to learn and teach as Paul's gospel is being revealed to him over time. When Christ completes Paul's ministry, he will then have full understanding. God's perfect Word will have come. 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that we walk by faith and not by sight, unlike what biblical Israel required for their belief (John 4:48, 1 Cor 1:22). If someone requires seeing miracles, signs and wonders today, then they are simply not walking by faith alone. It is critical that when we study scripture we are doing what 2 Timothy 2:15 says: rightly dividing the word of truth, our gospel of salvation as given to Paul, from that of biblical Israel's kingdom gospels (Matthew 10:5). We then better understand God's instructions to us during this Ephesians 3:2 dispensation of the grace of God compared to that of the Romans 30:11 times past. As I once heard someone say, "Our sign is a bloody cross and an empty tomb!" Amen! It is by God's grace through our faith in Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins and rising again for our justification that we are saved, Romans 4:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9.
Jack Gutknecht
What is the meaning of 'perfect' in 1 Corinthians 13:10? 1 Corinthians 13:10: “whenever the perfect comes.” The Greek word used here, teleios, refers to the fullness of God’s salvation that will come at the second coming of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6). -- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6: “one who began.” This refers to God. Paul is certain that the Philippians will progress in faith because God is committed to transforming them. “Day of Christ Jesus.” This refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ (see 1 Thess. 5:2). In Paul’s letters, the “Day of Christ” is synonymous with the Old Testament phrase, “Day of the Lord” (see Luke 17:22). —Faithlife Study Bible
George Fitt
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away." 1 Cor. 13:9,10 ESV Jesus said, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 ESV "Perfect" is a goal for us to achieve. This goal is based upon His teaching in Matthew 5:1 through 47. "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 ESV "Perfect" can't mean complete, since that would be redundant. "Perfecting the Saints" is by persevering through trials of faith (James 1:3). "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 ESV "Perfect" doesn't mean good or acceptable, because that would be redundant. Furthermore, we are told that by the testing of our faith and remaining steadfast, we are taught through discernment the meaning of each doctrine in Scripture, which is God's will. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. Job 36:4 ESV Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Job 37:16 ESV Straining Toward the Goal: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." Philippians 3:12 ESV From the above context, it is clear "perfect" means fully knowledgeable and without error in understanding His word. He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things.” Matthew 17:11 ESV 1 Corinthians 13:10 will be fulfilled when Elijah comes and restores all things (corrects all false doctrines). "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV Paul admits he did not fully know all doctrine in Philippians 3:12 and repeats this in 1 Cor. 13:12, thus he didn't achieve the goal. So, we are to understand all that Paul knew and more.
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