Foedus Theologus

A Critical Analysis of 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

I am one of those people that hold to the traditions of our forefathers with regards to the universal understanding of some texts of Scripture. I hardly waiver in that unless there have been others who might object to the interpretation and then we must carefully study those texts. One of those texts that is not really challenged is the text I am bringing before my readers today. I am convinced that this text is the most obvious proof for cessationism while others wholeheartedly disagree. There are some that hold to a cessationist view, but they don’t necessarily agree that the Corinthians” text is speaking of cessationism.

I have been pondering on this for sometime now of whether I should post this, but I think it is necessary to really look at this text, and I welcome the dialogue of those who agree or disagree. There are a few things that I want to point out that convinces me that this text is a proof of cessationism. One is the fact that the apostle mentions the end of some gifts in verse 8, the antithetical parellism in verses 9-10, the example of maturity in verse 11, and the meaning of “face to face” in verse 12.

First of all, in verse 8, the apostle mentions that love will never fail. However, the gift of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease. All of these gifts are revelatory gifts making known the mysteries of God. But they will all cease. Now if these will soon come to an end, then something must replace them, which means the fullest of God’s mysteries will soon be made known to all.

Now, verses 9-10 are antithetical phrases in aaba format. The first phrase of verse 10 is pit against the first two phrases in verse 9 and the last phrase of verse 10. The words “part” and “partial” are antithetical to “perfect.” We know that partial means incompleteness and if it is antithetical to “perfect,” then the logical conclusion is that “perfect” means “completeness” or “wholeness.”

This is where the disagreement starts and continues with the rest of the pericope. Many have stated that “perfect” in verse 10 is in reference to Christ. Well, shame on Paul if he meant the Christ here at this point by being so vague. Here is a man who stated earlier in Romans that He is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We read in the rest of Romans and his other letters that he is indeed not ashamed but quite bold. Now, a man like this would not be so vague as to mean Christ here. If he meant Christ, he would have said Christ, but Christ is not part of his thesis here. His focus is on revelatory gifts and that which will replace them.

To go on further, the apostle uses an example of a child in verse 11 becoming an adult with regards to the gifts mentioned and their replacement. When we were children, we were taught right from wrong, and our parents tried to instill in us some very important values. However, we as children didn’t fully understand their teachings, but as we matured, we began to fully understand. This is the way in which God has dealt with His people. 1 Peter 1:11 even testifies to this fact when it states, “They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow.” The apostolic age was about to end and the fullness of the mysteries of Christ were going to be made known with the completion of the canon.

Lastly, we look at verse 12. What is the meaning of face to face? Some have interpreted that to mean seeing Christ face to face. However, Paul has not been speaking of heaven or the afterlife, so it is very unlikely for him to be changing topics midstream. Although face to face has been used elsewhere in Scripture as meaning seeing Christ face to face, from the context, I believe Paul is using this phrase with looking into a mirror the same way in which James states in his epistle: “looking into the mirror of the word.” “But then face to face,” we will fully know the mysteries of Christ because we will have the complete canon. No longer will we rely on revelatory gifts with concerns of knowing the will of God. We now know His will and what He requires of us all by the completion of His written word.