1 Corinthians 13:12 Then I Shall Know. . . – audio

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Text: 1 Corinthians 13

Introduction

1. Recently, a question was asked in regard to 1 Corinthians 13:12.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

2. This verse is one part of a much larger context.

3. In this larger context (Chapters 12-14), Paul is dealing with the use and abuse of spiritual gifts.

4. Let us come to a better understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:12 by looking at the larger context of the passage.

a. We will see the need for spiritual gifts.

b. We will note the abuse of spiritual gifts.

c. We will discover the nature of spiritual gifts.

Body

I. THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

A. Paul did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:1.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

1. He wanted them to understand that there were many different gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-10.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

2. He wanted them to realize that all of these gifts came from the same source. 1 Corinthians 12:11.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

3. He wanted them to understand that all Christians are members of the same body working together. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

4. He wanted them to understand the true purpose of the gifts was for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12.

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

B. Ephesians 4:11-15.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

1. Spiritual gifts were for the equipping of the saints.

2. Spiritual gifts were meant for the purpose of helping the church to reach maturity.

3. Spiritual gifts were for the purpose of keeping the saints from being “children, tossed to and fro” by every wind of doctrine.

C. How did these gifts help the church to reach maturity?

1. God’s will was miraculously revealed to them.

2. They had the ability to speak in other languages.

3. Several gifts served as signs to the hearer that the speaker had God’s approval. Mark 16:17-20.

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

a) Prophesying of future events (assuming those events came to pass in the hearer’s lifetime).

b) Healing.

c) Even tongues could be a sign.

(1) 1 Corinthians 14:22. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

(2) Acts 2:4-7.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?

II. THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

A. The Christians at Corinth were carnal. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

B. They were using their gifts to “show off.” 1 Corinthians 14:6-9.

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

C. Their worship assemblies had become a confused mess. 1 Corinthians 14:31-33.

For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

D. So, rather than using these gifts to edify the church, the Corinthians were by their abuse of them actually causing division and strife.

E. These abuses were what led Paul (through the Spirit) to pen these instructions.

III. THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

A. Miraculous gifts were temporary by design.

1. Notice again, Ephesians 4:11-15.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

2. Notice that in Ephesians 4:13, the word “till” is used.

3. Miraculous gifts would be needed till…

a) We come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.

b) We become a perfect (complete) man.

4. Now lets look at 1 Corinthians 13.

B. 1 Corinthians 13.

1. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

a) 1 Corinthians 13:8.

(1) Prophecies would fail – cease to be uttered.

(2) Tongues would cease.

(3) Knowledge (the miraculous revealing of knowledge) would vanish away.

b) 1 Corinthians 13:9.

(1) What did Paul mean by “We know in part and we prophesy in part.”

(2) He did not mean that they did not have all the truth. John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

(3) What he meant was that they received the truth in parts. 1 Corinthians 14:26. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

(4) We can see how that would not be an ideal system.

c) 1 Corinthians 13:10.

(1) When that which is perfect has come, that which is in part will be done away.

(2) “That which is in part” is referring to the system of getting knowledge in pieces and parts from inspired teachers.

(3) That system was going to be done away when “that which is perfect” came.

(4) What is “that which is perfect?”

(a) It is not talking about Jesus! He is not a “that.”

(b) Paul is talking about the “perfect law of liberty.” James 1:25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

(c) What is the “perfect law of liberty?” – The word. Mark 16:20. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

(5) So, 1 Corinthians 13:10 is saying that when the Word came (the written Word of God), then the “part system” (miraculous gifts) would be done away with.

2. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

a) 1 Corinthians 13:11.

(1) Paul uses an illustration to emphasize the point he just made.

(2) When he was a child, he behaved as a child but when he grew up, he put away childish things.

(3) In the same way, in it’s infancy, the church needed spiritual gifts but when it grew up, those gifts would not be needed and thus would be put away.

(4) The church would “grow up” when that which is perfect came (the word) and they were no longer tossed to and fro as children with every wind of doctrine.

b) 1 Corinthians 13:12.

(1) Now Paul uses a second illustration. The idea of seeing one’s face dimly in a mirror (this represented the “part system of revelation).

(2) “But then face to face” – Once the word was complete, God’s will would be made perfectly clear to all who look into it. James 1:25.

(3) With the word, a Christian need no longer to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

(4) Then Paul says, “Now I know in part but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

(a) “I know” – ginosko – to know.

(b) “I shall know” – epiginosko – to know fully.

(c) In other words, “Now I know, but then I will really know.” – Just as I also am known.

(d) He is saying in yet another way that when the Word was completed, our knowledge of God’s will would come to completion.

Delivered on: January 8, 2012. Streetsboro.