prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away.” He further illustrates this present
state by comparing it to the period of childhood with its weakness
and immaturity of thought and action; and the perfect state, to the
condition of manhood with its clearer vision, maturity, and strength.
And he classes the gifts among those things which are needed in this
present, imperfect condition, but which we shall have no occasion for
when the perfect state is come. “Now,” he says (
Verse 12
), “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.” Then he states what
graces are adapted to the eternal state, and will there exist, namely,
faith, hope, and charity, or love, “these three; but the greatest of these
is charity.”
This explains the language of
Verse 8
: “Charity never faileth;”
that is, charity, the heavenly grace of love, will endure forever; it is
the crowning glory of man’s future, immortal condition; but “whether
there be prophecies, they shall fail;” that is, the time will come when
prophecies will be no longer needed, and the gift of prophecy, as one
of the helps in the church, will no longer be exercised; “whether there
be tongues, they shall cease;” that is, the gift of tongues will no longer
be of service; “whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away;” that
is, knowledge, not in the abstract, but as one of the special gifts of the
Spirit, will be rendered unnecessary by the perfect knowledge with
which we shall be endowed in the eternal world.
Now, if we take the position that the gifts ceased with the apostolic
age, because no longer needed, we commit ourselves to the position
that the apostolic age was the weak and childish age of the church,
when everything was seen through a glass, darkly; but the age that
followed, when grievous wolves were to enter in, not sparing the flock,
and men were to arise, even in the church, speaking perverse things
to draw away disciples after them, was an age of perfect light and
knowledge, in which the imperfect and
[27]
childish and darkened knowledge of apostolic times had passed
away! For, be it remembered, the gifts cease only when a perfect state
is reached, and because that state is reached, which renders them no
longer necessary. But no one, on sober thought, can for a moment seek
to maintain the position that the apostolic age was inferior in spiritual