By Kelly McDonald, Jr.
Are the gifts of the Spirit still relevant today? There are people and church groups which claim that these gifts ceased to exist at some point in the past – such as after the time of the Apostles or after the Bible was completed. Others assert that they are still important for believers today. What is the truth of the matter?
Those who claim that these gifts have ceased usually point to I Corinthians 13:8-12, which reads: “8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 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.” (KJV).
Those with this view propose that the “perfect” in verse 10 refers to the New Testament being completed. Thus, they believe that the completed New Testament caused spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, to cease.
There are problems with this view. First, New Testament writers always use specific names for the Bible such as the Word of God, the Scriptures, or the writings. Sometimes more specific references are used such as the Psalms and Isaiah. Even New Testament writers refer to other letters at least by their author (see 2 Peter 3:15).
Secondly, there is no indication that the writers of the New Testament knew that there would be a compilation of the gospels, Paul’s letters, and other letters into one book. Everything must be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses (2 Cor. 13:1).
Since no mention of the Scriptures is given in I Cor. 13:8-12, then this interpretation is incorrect. We cannot impose meanings on the text. What is the “perfect” referenced in verse 10?
The Greek word translated as “perfect” is teleion. The same root word is used two other places in I Corinthians. This means other verses in the same letter will help to clarify the meaning of I Cor. 13:10. We have two examples below.
“…7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end (telous), that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 1:7-8).
“Then cometh the end (telos), when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:24).
I Corinthians 1:7-8 refers to the future day of the Lord when all believers will be resurrected and rewarded according to our works (Matthew 16:27). It is called the end or a time of completion. I Corinthians 15:24 refers to the New Heavens and the New Earth. At that time, the Father will rule the universe from earth (Rev. 21, 22). It is the completion of God’s plan.
The events discussed in these verses have yet to happen. This means that there are things we still do not know. No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24). No one knows who will make it into the Kingdom and who will not. We do not know about the fullness of our resurrected body (I John 3:2). We don’t know fully about our eternal reward for the Kingdom. We don’t know who will be in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Our present knowledge is incomplete.
This viewpoint is bolstered by the fact that future eschatological events are mentioned throughout Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. See I Cor. 1:7-8, 3:10-15, 4:5, 5:5, 6:2-3, 6:9-10, 11:32, chapter 15, 16:22.
Thus, the ‘perfect’ from I Cor. 13:10 refers to future eschatological events, such as the resurrection and the New Heavens and New Earth. This interpretation is more consistent with the letter. As those events are revealed, we will know the full result of God’s plan. All prophecies will then be fulfilled and pass away; nothing will be left to foretell.
Until these events have happened, the gifts of the Spirit remain relevant to all Christians. Since the Spirit of God still dwells in believers, so are the gifts His Spirit bestows. He changes not (Mal. 3:6). They empower us to help each other in this age while we eagerly anticipate future ages of God’s grace (Eph. 2:7).
Kelly McDonald, Jr.
Pastor, David’s Tent Christian Fellowship
All verses taken from the King James Version (KJV).