Kyle Campbell

Several days ago, I had the opportunity to speak to someone about spiritual gifts. In the course of the conversation, when we discussed the ending of spiritual gifts, he brought up that the reference to “perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to Christ. He made the case that the only one who was “perfect” that he knows of was Christ.

The word for “perfect” occurs 19 times in the New Testament (Matthew 5:48; 19:21; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 13:10; 14:20; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28; 4:12; Hebrews 5:14; 9:11; James 1:4, 17, 25; 3:2; 1 John 4:18). It refers to something which is whole or complete; it lacks nothing. In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, “part” describes the way God revealed Himself to man through spiritual gifts. Although they confirmed the Word (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:2-3), Christians couldn’t clearly see all of God’s will until it had all been revealed. So the “perfect” is the completed revelation of God’s will to man. After the New Testament books were complete, prophecy simply because it was no longer needed. Do we need Paul to come and teach us? Would we read along in the Bible? How ludicrous! Also, in the original language, the word “perfect” is an adjective which is neuter in its gender. If it were referring to Christ, it would be masculine, just as in our language.

Paul’s illustration shows that spiritual gifts were considered to be in the childhood stage versus the completed revelation being in the adulthood stage. When Paul said “done away,” he referred to what was set aside forever. It was made completely inoperative (cp. Romans 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:26; 2 Corinthians 3:13-14; Ephesians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). When the infancy period of the church was over, spiritual gifts ceased. People can’t speak in tongues, cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead today the way they did in the first century church. Those times have passed and those days have been done away. But we’re left with God’s holy and perfect plan for instruction and guidance.