1 Corinthians 13:10 kjv
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:10 nkjv
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:10 niv
but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
1 Corinthians 13:10 esv
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:10 nlt
But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
1 Corinthians 13 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 13:10 | When the perfection comes, that which is in part will be done away. | Paul's teaching on gifts |
| Eph 4:13 | Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. | Maturity in Christ |
| Col 1:28 | He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. | Presentation of believers |
| Heb 10:14 | For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. | Perfection through sacrifice |
| Rev 21:4 | He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. | Absence of suffering in eternity |
| Matt 22:30 | For at the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. | Future state of believers |
| 1 Cor 15:42 | So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; | Resurrection body |
| 1 John 3:2 | Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. | Becoming like Christ |
| Rom 12:6 | We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; | Diversity of gifts |
| Rom 12:4-5 | Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. | Body of Christ |
| 1 Cor 14:1 | Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. | Importance of prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:24 | but if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or someone who understands nothing enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, | Effect of prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. | Purpose of prophecy |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. | Purpose of Spirit's gifts |
| John 16:13 | But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. | Ministry of the Spirit |
| Ps 37:37 | Mark the blameless and look at the upright, for the future of that person is peace. | Future peace of the righteous |
| Isa 11:9 | They will not harm or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. | Knowledge in the new creation |
| Jer 31:33 | "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. | New Covenant |
| Heb 8:10 | This is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put my laws on their minds and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. | New Covenant detailed |
| Phil 3:12 | Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on so that I may make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. | Pressing toward perfection |
| Gal 4:19 | My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you— | Christ formed in believers |
1 Corinthians 13 verses
1 Corinthians 13 10 Meaning
When the fullness of all that is perfect is come, then that which belongs to a part will be done away. Perfection here refers to the completion of God's plan, which includes the return of Christ and the establishment of eternity. Until that time, spiritual gifts like prophecy and knowledge are partial and incomplete.
1 Corinthians 13 10 Context
This verse is part of 1 Corinthians chapter 13, which is often called the "love chapter." Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's enthusiastic, yet often disorderly, use of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues and prophecy. He contrasts these temporary gifts with the enduring nature of love, emphasizing that love is the superior quality that should motivate and guide the exercise of all spiritual gifts. In this specific verse, Paul uses an analogy to explain why some gifts will cease. The context is a discussion about the superiority of love over the charismatic gifts. The Corinthians had a problem with immaturity and boasting in their spiritual gifts, and Paul's argument is that these gifts are partial and will ultimately be superseded when spiritual maturity, described as "perfect," is attained.
1 Corinthians 13 10 Word analysis
hótan (ὅταν): A conjunction meaning "when" or "whenever." It introduces a time clause, pointing to a specific future point.
dē (δῆ): An enclitic particle. Its exact meaning is debated but often emphasizes or adds a sense of certainty or naturalness to the statement. It could be translated as "indeed," "now," or left untranslated, serving as a logical connector.
elthē (ἔλθῃ): The third-person singular subjunctive active form of the verb elthō (ἔρχομαι), meaning "to come" or "to arrive." The subjunctive mood is used here in the temporal clause introduced by "hótan" to indicate a future event.
to (τὸ): The neuter singular definite article "the."
teleion (τέλειον): The neuter singular accusative form of the adjective teleios (τέλειος), meaning "complete," "perfect," or "mature." In this context, it refers to the state of completeness or perfection, particularly the consummation of God's kingdom and the believer's spiritual maturity.
to (τὸ): The neuter singular definite article "the."
ek mérous (ἐκ μέρους): A prepositional phrase. Ek (ἐκ) means "from" or "out of." Mérous (μέρους) is the genitive singular of meros (μέρος), meaning "part" or "portion." Together, it means "from a part" or "in part," signifying something incomplete or partial.
génomai (γένηται): The third-person singular aorist subjunctive middle/passive form of the verb ginomai (γίνομαι), meaning "to become," "to be," or "to happen." The subjunctive mood aligns with the temporal clause.
to (τὸ): The neuter singular definite article "the."
ek mérous (ἐκ μέρους): This phrase is repeated, reinforcing the idea of that which is partial being nullified or set aside.
When the complete [thing] comes, that which is from a part will be done away. This succinctly captures the meaning of the verse.
The perfect is future and final. The coming of the "perfect" is not a present attainment but a future culmination.
Present gifts are partial. Gifts like prophecy and knowledge are valuable now, but they are "in part," indicating their limitations before the ultimate perfection.
The perfect nullifies the partial. The arrival of perfection renders the incomplete modes of operation obsolete.
1 Corinthians 13 10 Bonus section
The concept of "perfection" here has been a subject of theological discussion. Some argue it refers to the completion of the canon of Scripture, others to the maturity of the Church as a whole, and most commonly, to the eschatological state after Christ's second coming. The verse clearly indicates a transition where present ministries will cease or be transformed into something far greater. The anticipation of this ultimate perfection is a motive for steadfastness in faith and the continuation of love, which "never fails" (1 Cor 13:8). The passing away of the partial gifts highlights the superiority and permanence of love as the essential Christian virtue that will endure even into eternity.
1 Corinthians 13 10 Commentary
This verse provides a crucial perspective on the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts. The "perfection" signifies the complete presence of God and His purposes being fully realized, most eschatologically linked to Christ's return and the new creation. Until that time, spiritual gifts are necessary tools God uses to build up the Church and reveal Himself. However, these gifts, such as prophecy and knowledge, are inherently limited ("in part") because our understanding and the revelation available in this age are incomplete. When believers enter the full presence of God in eternity, the partial means of communication and understanding through these gifts will no longer be needed, just as a child's rudimentary knowledge gives way to adult understanding. This emphasizes that while gifts are vital for the present, the ultimate goal is a full, unmediated communion with God.