(1Co 13:12) “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.”  Remember -context, the first part (see through a glass, darkly) is before the coming of the complete, perfect, Word of God. A person would speak a Word from God (v.2) and one would see self in its light. Now I see myself not as a through a hazy glass, but as a mirror (James 1:23-24) and can know self as others and God really sees me (am known).

(1Co 13:11) “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.”  Spiritually, it was time for God’s people to grow up and seek the best of what God had to offer: love. They needed to yield to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to help them sacrificially give of themselves to God, and therefore to others around them. If they would do so, the sin and strife among them would cease. May it be so with  you and me.

(1Co 13:10) “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  Thought: There are those who would say, “Man wrote the Bible.” If so, it could not be referred to here are “perfect”. It is perfect, for: (2Ti_3:16) “All  [every bit] scripture is given by inspiration of God [literally means “God breathed”], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

(1Co 13:9) “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.”  All the Lord has chosen to reveal is found in the Bible. It’s revelation contains so much that a lifetime of reading and study cannot pull out all its secrets. Yet, by study, the Lord gives us each spiritually that which we need the most. It is both milk and meat for the soul. Sit and eat.

(1Co 13:9) “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.”  “Perfect”: complete; full grown; mature.  Before the completion of the Word of God, spiritual gifts were given to fill aid the church is growing. Remember, those gifts were given by the Holy Spirit and thus used by Him. Keeping the context, practicing God’s sacrificial love is far better than the use of tongues, prophecy, or knowledge.

(1Co 13:8) “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.”  Now that we have the complete Word of God, the Child of God can each be taught by the Holy Spirit within him or her. Point: It is available to each of us, not simply a few who have the gift of knowledge. Your thirst will be filled if you will just sit down with the Bible as if at the feet of the Lord Jesus. 

(1Co 13:8) “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.”  After the rejection of Christ resulting in His crucifixion and resurrection, the Lord gave the Jewish nation a period of grace to repent: (1Co_14:21) “In the law it is written [OT Scripture], With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (22)  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:”  It was not something meant to be used during a church meeting, but to speak to a lost Jew in whatever language was common to him. It is safe to say that period of grace ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

(1Co 13:8) “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. 1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”  The knowledge, what they knew, was limited, coming to each church little by little as their prophets spoke unto them. But when churches finally were able to receive all the revelations as a whole – the Bible, the knowledge provided by God was complete. There was no longer a need for the gift of prophecy.

(1Co 13:8) “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.”  “Prophecies will fail”: Before our Bible was completed, new Believers needed instruction on what the Lord desired of us (what we find in the Epistles). Now that we have our Bible, who needs more? Those who are too lazy to read His Word?

(1Co 13:8) “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.”  When all other manifestations, witness, of the Holy Spirit ceased, Godly love remained and remains to this day. We needed no prophecies, teachings and foretelling of future events, once the Lord completed His written Word. The witness to the lost Jew of tongues ceased not long after Jerusalem fell and the nation of Israel dispersed. Praise God, the witness of love continued: (Joh_13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”