I Corinthians 13:8-12

I. Love never fails, but some gifts fail (8)

A. Prophecies fail

B. Tongues fail

C. Knowledge fails
* All revelatory gifts will stop some time.

II. Why revelatory gifts fail (9-12)

A. Because their purpose is to impart knowledge (9)
* Though it be limited (out of a part)

B. Because the complete will replace the parts
* “Perfect” is neuter or an “it” or “thing”
* Only scripture qualifies as an imparter of complete knowledge and a “thing.”

1. First example: A child becomes adult.
* We don’t keep the part when we have the whole.

2. Second example: A mirror dark and clear.
* We don’t keep looking at limited unveiling when we have full unveiling.
(Limit is the partial revelation done by prophets, tongues, and special knowledge.)
(Full is the full revelation of scripture.)
* If any three of these revelatory gifts were in existence today, it would, by their very nature, be a violation of Rev. 22:18-19.

Note: Different ways the word “perfect” of I Corinthians 2:6; 10:10; Eph.4:13; Phil. 3:15; Col. 1:28; 4:14; Heb. 9:1; James 1:4; 17, 25; 3:2; I John 4:18

Full age: Hebrews 5:14

Make perfect: John 17:23; II Cor. 12:9; Heb. 2:10; 5:9; 7:19; 9:9; 10:0; 11:40; 12:23; James 2:2; I John 2:17, 18

Finish: John 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; Acts 20:24

Fulfill: Luke 2:43; John 19:28

Be perfect: Philippians 3:12

Consecrate: Hebrews 7:28

Note: According to my Abbot-Smith Greek Lexicon, the word perfect means, and I quote, “having reached its end, finished, mature, complete, grown.”