1 Corinthians 13:10

10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come
When perfect knowledge of God, of Christ, and of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven shall take place; which will not in this life, but in that which is to come. So the Jews say ^F18 that at the resurrection, upon the reunion of the soul and body,

``the children of men shall attain to (hmylv hed) , "perfect knowledge";''

which is what the apostle refers to here:

and then that which is in part, shall be done away:
the imperfection of knowledge shall be removed; the imperfect manner of communicating knowledge, and of receiving and acquiring it, will cease: thus the apostle explains what he means by the cessation and failing of knowledge, and prophecy; not that knowledge itself will be no more, and a state of ignorance and darkness succeed; but imperfect knowledge will vanish away, or rather will be perfected, or be swallowed up in perfect knowledge; the imperfection of it will disappear; and it will be no more taught and received in part; the whole of truth will be clearly known.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Midrash Haneelam in Zohar in Gen. fol. 69. 1.

1 Corinthians 13:10 In-Context

8 Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

9 For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect;

10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.