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. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 KJV)
Commentary
The apostle goes on to commend charity (love) and show how much it surpasses the spiritual gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves, to the neglect and near extinction of true love.
Charity never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). It is a permanent and eternal grace, while the extraordinary gifts in which the Corinthians gloried were temporary. These gifts were meant to edify the church on earth for a time, but they would eventually cease, whereas heaven is the home of love. Prophecies will fail—meaning either predictions of things to come or inspired interpretations of Scripture. Tongues will cease—the miraculous power to speak unlearned languages will no longer be needed, for there will be one language in heaven. Knowledge will vanish away—not that saints in glory will be ignorant, for ignorance is no happiness, but the miraculous knowledge granted by inspiration will end. Even common knowledge gained by instruction will be surpassed, for our learning here will be swallowed up by the clearer light of heaven. Just as the light of a candle disappears before the brightness of the sun, so all our partial knowledge will fade before the perfection of eternal truth.
Our gifts and knowledge now are suited to a state of imperfection. “We know in part, and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). Even inspired men knew only a small portion of God and the unseen world. These gifts, though valuable, belong to our present imperfect state and will vanish long before the church reaches its perfection. Charity, however, will endure forever.
“When that which is perfect comes, that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10). When the goal is reached, the means will cease. In heaven there will be no need of tongues, prophecy, or inspired knowledge, for the church will be perfect in holiness and understanding. God will be known clearly and directly, as perfectly as glorified minds can comprehend—not by faint glimpses, but by open vision.
The difference between our present and future state is illustrated in two ways.
First, the present life is compared to childhood, and the future to manhood. “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” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Our best knowledge and greatest gifts in this world are like childish thoughts compared to the full understanding of heaven. There we will look back on the pride we took in such things as childish folly, for in Christ we shall be mature and complete.
Second, our present sight is dim and confused compared with what it will be hereafter. “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Now we perceive divine things at a distance and with obscurity, as through a dark mirror, but then we shall see them clearly and directly. “Now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known.” God now knows us by perfect inspection; then we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). We shall understand how we are known, and enter into the depths of divine love and grace. What a glorious change—to pass from darkness to light, from the twilight of faith to the full sunshine of God’s presence, where “in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Only in heaven will every cloud be removed from the face of God, and it will be perfect and eternal day.
To conclude his argument, the apostle declares that charity surpasses not only spiritual gifts but also the other principal graces. “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). True grace is far more excellent than spiritual gifts, and among graces, charity is the greatest, being the end to which faith and hope lead. Faith believes God’s revelation; hope waits for future glory; but in heaven, faith will be turned into sight and hope into enjoyment. Love, however, fastens on God Himself and His image in His people, and will remain forever.
In the world to come, the perfections of God and the holiness of the saints will shine in full splendor, and there love will be made perfect. We shall love God perfectly, for He will be eternally lovely, and our hearts will burn with endless devotion. We shall also love one another perfectly, for all the saints will be gathered together, pure and complete. What a blessed state, surpassing all below! How excellent is charity, which outlasts every gift and completes every grace! When faith and hope cease, love will continue to burn forever with the brightest flame. Those who most reflect this divine principle are closest to the heavenly state, for “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). Where God is seen face to face, there love reaches its full perfection.