Miraculous Gifts: That which is incomplete by Bill Blue

"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether
there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish
away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is
perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1 Cor.
13:8-10).

We ended our article on the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (PAT no. 1-19) by promising to discuss "why these miraculous gifts do not exist today." Space will not permit today’s article to discuss all of the implications associated with the end of the miraculous gifts, but it will serve as a beginning of that study.

Before we can understand why miraculous gifts ended, we must understand why Paul addressed the issue at all. Why was it necessary for Paul to write that miraculous gifts would be done away with?

On multiple occasions in 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the problem the Christians at Corinth had with partiality and esteeming one brother or sister above another. One basis for partiality was the possession of miraculous gifts. Christians at Corinth were esteeming some brethren over others because of a miraculous gift they possessed, and as a result, brethren desired to possess these abilities (much like Simon of Samaria in Acts 8:18-19).

Addressing this problem, Paul begins 1 Corinthians 12 by identifying nine miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (vs. 8-10), and pointing out that the gifts are distributed to individuals according to the will of the Holy Spirit (vs. 11), not according to any inherit ability of the Christians possessing the gift. Thus, why esteem the person? Paul then says that all members (individuals) of the body (church, 12:27) are valuable, and that no single member is more valuable than any other regardless of which, if any, miraculous gift a member may possess (vs. 15-30). Note the logic of Paul’s argument. If everyone is necessary (vs. 22), then why would we esteem someone simply because he possesses a miraculous gift?

Paul ends chapter 12 by instructing the "saints" at Corinth (Christians - 1:2) to "desire the best gifts," and telling them that he will show them "a more excellent way" (12:31). Chapter 13 begins with the instruction that love is greater than the miraculous gifts because the miraculous gifts are incomplete, and will eventually "fail," "cease," "vanish away," and be "done away" with (13:8-10). Again, note the logic of Paul’s argument. We should desire the best gifts, the most excellent way (12:31), not something that will vanish.

Instead of desiring miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, Paul instructs the Corinthians to "abide faith, hope, love" (13:13); these three are the best gifts, and love is the greatest of the three (13:13). Unlike miraculous gifts, "love never fails" (13:8), and never suffers from the ills plaguing the Corinthian church (13:1-7).

Though miraculous, the gifts envied by the Corinthian brethren would not only end (13:8), but were imperfect and incomplete (13:9). Tongues could sound as clanging cymbals (13:1). Prophecy, knowledge, and faith – however miraculously acquired – without love were nothing (13:2). Thus, we should desire faith, hope, and love because they are greater than miraculous gifts.

Paul addressed the issue of miraculous gifts because the church at Corinth had a problem with envy and partiality; its members lost sight of why the gifts were provided in the first place, to assist in the spread of the Gospel of Christ (Acts 1:8), edify the church (1 Cor. 14:12), equip the saints (Eph. 4:12), and confirm authority from God (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:4).

Towards the end of chapter 13, after having already told the Corinthians that the miraculous gifts they desired would be done away with (13:8-10), Paul then tells when this will occur and why:

"But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Cor. 13:10-12).

In the next article, we will consider these words and discuss when miraculous gifts ended and why.