139. First Corinthians 13:8

The End Time Men
W.W. Fischer
Scriptures Referenced in This Chapter:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
1 Cor. 12:8-10 π 1 Cor. 12:8-11 π 1 Cor. 12:11 π 1 Cor. 12:30 π 1 Cor. 13:8 π 1 Cor. 13:8-12 π 1 Cor. 13:9 π 1 Cor. 13:10 π 1 Cor. 13:12 π 1 Cor. 14:2; 2nd π 1 Cor. 14:4-5 π 1 Cor. 14:18 π 1 Cor. 14:18-19 π 1 Cor. 14:19 π 1 Cor. 14:38 π 1 Cor. 14:39 π 1 Ths. 5:17

“...But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” ( 1 Cor. 13:8; top )

The initial thought that is obvious is, seeing we all still have knowledge, obviously we still have speaking in tongues.

Verse 9 says, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part,” and verse 10 , “but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (top)

It is plain that we are now doing things “in part,” because we are still operating “in part” (partial) by using our knowledge, speaking in tongues and prophesying.

The book of 1 Corinthians was written in 59 A.D., 26 years after Jesus had ascended to the Father, so it is rather plain that preaching, knowledge, prophecy and speaking in tongues will be taken away at a future date when the partial is replaced as the totality of perfection is revealed.

This perfection is Jesus Himself, and in verse 12 (top) of the same chapter it tells us when the perfection will be revealed, then these “in-part” things shall be taken away. This future date is when we see Jesus and the Father face to face in the eternal Heaven.

Then (in Heaven) we will not need the edifying we get from prophecy and speaking in tongues, because the presence of the Father face to face will be sufficient to supply and provide an edification far beyond our comprehension. Before our entry into this heavenly relationship, our knowledge was fragmentary and imperfect; however in this new environment we will know everything fully and clearly and completely.

Speaking in tongues is for our own personal edification; to edify means to lift up, teach, instruct, fortify, strengthen and give insight. We need all of this we can get; that is why Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.” ( 1 Cor. 14:18; top )

Because in all his perilous journeys and confrontations, he needed all the edifying he could get. That is why he further said, “...do not forbid to speak with tongues.” ( 1 Cor. 14:39; top )

It is really amazing how some Bible-believing people, who defend Scripture in all other areas, bypass Scriptures on speaking in tongues. Further, they believe Scripture from Matthew to Revelation, and yet all of this New Testament was written by someone who spoke in tongues.

1 Cor. 14:19 (top) is used to play down speaking in tongues, where Paul says, “Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” How did Paul get the edification to teach by using five words in the church? By speaking 10,000 words in tongues in prayer, in preparation for church!

Further, 1 Cor. 14:2 says that speaking in tongues is speaking unto God, a form of prayer, and in Thessalonians it says to “pray without ceasing.” ( 1 Ths. 5:17; top )

In commenting on 1 Cor. 12:30 (top), A.G. Dornfield explains, “‘Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?’ The obvious answer is ‘no.’ The devotional tongues, however, every believer may have.”

Not everyone gets the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues, as 1 Cor. 12:8-11 explains. Some people receive a particular gift of the Spirit, and others another gift. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” ( 1 Cor. 12:11; top ) From time to time, some receive all nine of these gifts of the Spirit, however not everyone.

One of the reasons Christians back away from the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the speaking in tongues, is that it is like any other Scriptural process; there is a cost involved toward a greater surrender and intimacy with Jesus and the Father. Even the least amount of pride in the flesh-life in us fights against any surrender.

We Christians are a stubborn people, and often stiff-necked, yet it is a marvel of God’s mercy and grace that He puts up with us. The best of us aren’t too loveable.

Scriptures to consider: 1 Cor. 12:8-10 ; 1 Cor. 13:8-12 ; 1 Cor. 14:2 , 4-5 ; 1 Cor. 14:18-19 , 38 (top).


138. Manna π 140. Jeremiah
The End Time Men

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