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That Which Is Perfect

• Key passage
• "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. 13 And now abideth
  faith, hope, charity, these three but the
  greatest of these is charity (I Cor. 13).

2
That Which Is Perfect

• Regarding three of the nine gifts, prophecies,
  tongues, and knowledge, Paul said that they shall
  fail (Greek katargeo), cease (pauo), and
  vanish away (argethesetai). One key expression
  is, in part (meros). The antithetical
  expression is, that which is perfect (to
  teleion). The in part or fragmentary shall be
  replaced by the whole (perfect) and at that
  time, the in part shall be done away
  (katargethesetai). Hence, before we can focus
  on that which is perfect, we need to establish
  the in part.

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That Which Is Perfect

• It is apparent from the Corinthian Epistle that
  there was much ignorance and improper exercise
  regarding these gifts, particularly the gifts of
  tongues and prophecy. Moreover, it is evident
  that they were fascinated with the gift of
  tongues to the neglect of the gift of prophecy (I
  Cor. 14 1f.). It is also evident that as a
  rule, some of the early Christians possessed
  various gifts as opposed to possessing all nine
  (see I Cor. 14, 12 28-31). I suggest, then, that
  the in part pertained to the then system of
  truth being dependant on these various gifts and
  each one who possessed a gift. At best, the
  system was incomplete (not perfect) and only
  temporary, looking to something else (that which
  is perfect).

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That Which Is Perfect

• The expression that which is perfect is the
  Greek to teleion. Teleion is in the neuter
  gender and Marshall in Nestles Interlinear
  Greek-English New Testament renders it, the
  perfect thing. The Greek teleion simply
  describes action that is essentially progressive.
  The action was begun at the point of inception,
  continues in the proper course, and then it
  arrives at its destination.  This latter state is
  the idea of teleion.  Teleion, then, is the
  arrived at state, the state to which all anterior
  action looked, the goal to which all previous
  forward effort and action was directed.  Hence,
  teleion is complete or the completed as opposed
  to in part or fragmentary.

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That Which Is Perfect

• There are a number of views as to that which is
  perfect or, as seen, the perfect thing. Some
  say the perfect thing (to teleion) is love.
  Whatever the perfect thing is, when it came the
  in part (nine miraculous gifts of the Spirit)
  would be done away, we must remember. I do
  submit that we can ascertain what is the perfect
  thing. One wrote regarding the perfect thing
  as follows
• It appears to me that that which is perfect,
  that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 13 is not
  speaking of anything in particular, but all
  things in general.

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That Which Is Perfect

• The more excellent way to which Paul introduces
  them is love as the impetus and motivation (ch.
  13). Love would abide and is set forth as
  exalted (I Cor. 13 13). However, they could and
  were to have love as the motivation for the
  exercise of their gifts (cp. I Cor. 13 1f.). I
  do not think it follows, then, that when love was
  present, the in part (gifts) would cease to
  exist.

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That Which Is Perfect

• Along this line, some have suggested that the
  perfect thing that Paul anticipates is
  individual spiritual maturity. How, I ask, can
  the ceasing of the fragmentary and arrival of the
  complete be determined based on individual
  maturation, seeing that all arrive at different
  times and obtain various levels of maturity,
  while others remain immature?

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That Which Is Perfect

• The view and explanation that is held by many
  regarding that which is perfect is expressed in
  the following quotation
• The fourth position is the one I have come to
  believe as the best interpretation of the verse.
  This interpretation understands to teleion to
  refer to the Eschaton or the return of the
  resurrected Lord at the End of Time.

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That Which Is Perfect

• The Second Coming of Christ.  If the return of
  Christ is meant, why did not Paul write, "but
  when the Christ is come (oh Christos)?" Instead,
  Paul used the neuter gender, referring to a
  thing, not a person. Moreover, if the Second
  Coming of Jesus is meant, then we are in the "in
  part" state, seeing Christ has not come. This
  presents a serious problem in view of all the
  scriptures that emphasize the completeness of
  revelation and of our present system being
  complete (2 Tim. 3 16, 17, 2 Pet. 1 3).

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That Which Is Perfect

• Paul wrote, "And ye are complete in him." (Col.
  2 10, the illustration of I Corinthians 13
  11-13 can also be understood of the word, see
  James 1 23-25). Also, the stated purpose of
  Jesus' miracles is that of producing faith (John.
  20 30, 31). Why the need of ongoing miracles? In
  addition, we have the written word and the
  written word confirms itself hence, no need of
  miracles. We test teachers by their teaching,
  because we have the complete, revealed revelation
  (2 John. 9-11, compare I John. 4 1, 2 18-20).

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That Which Is Perfect

• Some continue to accept the inevitable
  consequence of the nine miraculous gifts of the
  Spirit being present today. They must, those who
  hold the second coming of Jesus is meant by the
  perfect thing. One wrote
• For many years I have had a big problem trying
  to understand why brethren tend to want to try to
  show that gifts of the Spirit have ceased in our
  timeI do not get the slightest hint where the
  New Testament teaches that.

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That Which Is Perfect

• In view of the dialectic consequence of the
  Jesus' coming view demanding the gifts of the
  Spirit today, another wrote
• I have known some brethren that I thought had a
  special gift of the Spirit even though the
  brother never did claim a special gift that I
  know of. I knew one elder in the church and you
  would recognize some very close relatives of his
  if I should name him, (he has been dead for
  several years), but his brother in the flesh may
  have never known what he told me, and discussed
  with me    He told me, after I got to know him
  well, that   Seldom does a day pass that I do
  not speak in tongues, Another brother who is a
  full time preacher and is still living told me
  that he often speaks in tongues.

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That Which Is Perfect

• Some emphatically contend that no scholar ever
  held the view that to teleion refers to the
  completed word of God, the New Testament.
  Notwithstanding, we read the following
• "With the completion of the canon of Scripture
  prophecy apparently passed away, 1 Cor. 13 8, 9.
  In his measure the teacher has taken the place of
  the prophet, cp. the significant change in 2 Pet.
  21. The difference is that,whereas the message
  of the prophet was a direct revelation of the
  mind of God for the occasion, the message of the
  teacher is gathered from the completed revelation
  contained in the Scriptures." From Notes on
  Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine, pp. 196,197.
  (W.E. Vine, ExpositoryDictionary of New
  Testament Words, comments found under "prophesy").

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That Which Is Perfect

• A parallel passage
• "8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on
  high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts
  unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it
  but that he also descended first into the lower
  parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the
  same also that ascended up far above all heavens,
  that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave
  some, apostles and some, prophets and some,
  evangelists and some, pastors and teachers 12
  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
  the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
  Christ

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That Which Is Perfect

• 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
  and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
  perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
  the fullness of Christ 14 That we henceforth be
  no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
  about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
  of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
  in wait to deceive 15 But speaking the truth in
  love, may grow up into him in all things, which
  is the head, even Christ"(Eph. 4).

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That Which Is Perfect

• In both texts, spiritual or miraculous gifts are
  being discussed.  Also in both texts, the
  duration of these gifts and functions that have
  miraculous assistance is under consideration. To
  the Corinthians, Paul said when the "perfect
  thing" came and to the Ephesians, "till we all
  come in the unity of the faith and the knowledge
  of the Son of God, unto a perfect man..."  The
  faith or gospel system was at first dependant
  on the parts supplied by various ones who
  possessed spiritual gifts and was a vulnerable
  system.

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That Which Is Perfect

• The New Testament was not in existence, as the
  books were then being written, circulated, and
  compiled (cp. Col. 4 16, cp. I John 2 1).  As a
  result of the compilation of the New Testament
  books, we can learn about what to do to be saved,
  how to live, the church, heaven and hell, and all
  other necessary subjects.  The scriptures being
  God-breathed, thoroughly furnish as to
  "doctrine," "reproof," "correction," and
  "instruction in righteousness," and result in,
  "...the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
  furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3 16,
  17).  Christians can reach maturity through a
  study and application of the revealed word (I
  Pet. 2 1f., Heb. 5 11-14).

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That Which Is Perfect

• I submit that with the completion of the New
  Testament, we have all we need relative to
  personal and spiritual identification, growth,
  and maturation (Jas. 1 23-25, 2 Pet. 1 5-11). 
  I find it interesting that James refers to the
  teleion nomon (perfect law) and speaks of looking
  into the looking glass and seeing one's image
  the same phraseology and idea Paul used in the
  text in which he referred to the coming of the to
  teleion (perfect thing, Jas. 1 25, I Cor. 13
  12).  As we consider the teaching of the New
  Testament in its totality, we spiritually see
  ourselves and are transformed to what we should
  be, at least, this is the way it is designed to
  work (Jas. 1 23-25, cp. 2 Cor. 3 18).

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That Which Is Perfect

• The teleion has arrived, I contend, any
  imperfection is our fault for not making all the
  application and exerting the necessary effort.  
  I, therefore, submit that to teleion in I
  Corinthians 13 8-10 is the teleion nomon of
  James 1 25, the perfect thing or perfect law
  of liberty. The means, when applied, to make us
  teleion (Heb. 5 14). This complete word is the
  standard of fellowship and determining truth and
  shall judge us in the last day (2 John 9-11
  John 12 48).

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That Which Is Perfect

• Conclusion
• We are not now in the in part or fragmentary,
  but the recipients of Gods full and final will,
  the faith once for all delivered unto the
  saints (Jude 3, ASV). As to the nine miraculous
  gifts of the Holy Spirit seen in the infant
  church, the in part, they have been done
  away. Notwithstanding, there continues to be
  lying wonders (2 Thes. 2 9). The perfect
  thing is so complete that all change and
  alteration is absolutely forbidden (Gal. 1 6-9,
  Rev. 22 18, 19).

Slide 20