Commentary (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part (I Cor. 13.9)." Our scope is limited--we do not have the full picture at the present time. However, the Scripture does say that we know in part; it does not say that we do not have any knowledge. Also the Scripture does say that we prophesy in part; it does not say that we do not prophesy at all .

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (I Cor. 13.10). "But when" signifies "another time"; "that which is perfect is come" signifies that our present "state of being" is lacking. God will do a further work unto the creation and unto the Christian--there is an eternal inheritance to come.

"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" (I Cor. 13.11). The premature things of a child "vanish" away into manhood.

"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" (I Cor. 13.12). "For now we see through a glass, darkly" signifies our limited, immature, incomplete state of being, of which we are still in a corruptible body which is about to vanish; "but then" signifies a "future time"; "face to face" signifies our "presence" with God: corruption having taken on incorruption; incompleteness having taken on completeness; "now I know in part" signifies the present; "but then shall I know even as also I am known" is a key which unlocks the shackles of erroneous doctrine which prevents the unenlightened and unstable from understanding the latter part of the thirteenth chapter: "but then" signifies a "time" and a "difference"--a "change"; "shall I know even as I am known" signifies a change from incomplete knowledge unto complete knowledge. God is the only one who is incorruptible and omniscient--the only possible way that we could know even as we are known is that God change us from incompleteness unto completeness; corruption unto incorruption. That change can not take place until the time that the Apostle Paul prophesied: "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" has been fulfilled (I Cor. 15.52).