1 Corinthians 13:10

10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:10 in Other Translations

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

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

10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

10 But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

10 but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

10 But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used.

10 But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end.

10 But when what is perfect comes, the things that are not perfect 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 fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Cross References

• 1. Philippians 3:12