The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Cessation

I'll try to help you, but minding that I am no Greek scholar. Let's work through some of the verses first.......

1Co 13:8 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.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(KJV)

The perfect in verse 10 does not necessarily mean Heaven. Albert Barnes agrees;

1Co 13:10 -
But when that which is perfect is come - Does come; or shall come. This proposition is couched in a general form. It means that when anything which is perfect is seen or enjoyed, then that which is imperfect is forgotten, laid aside, or vanishes. Thus, in the full and perfect light of day, the imperfect and feeble light of the stars vanishes.
(Albert Barne's notes on the Bible)

That which is perfect (to teleion). The perfect, the full-grown (telov, end), the mature. See on 1Co_2:6. otan elqh is second aorist subjunctive with otan, temporal clause for indefinite future time.
(Robertson's Word Pictures)

G5046
teleios
tel'-i-os
From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.
(Strongs)

The context doesn't necessitate that interpretation either. Church history bears out the interpretation put forth by cessationists. The perfect need not be a specific occurence but a coming of maturity, as canon did. Now we have the wholeness of prophecy necessary for our salvation.......

THE CAMBRIDGE DECLARATION
of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
THESIS ONE: SOLA SCRIPTURA
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation,which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.
We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.

If prophecy continues today we do NOT have the full council of God. To uphold this view would require a denial of Sola Scriptura.


The only thing they share in common in this context is that they will all end somehow. However, different usages are present within this one verse denoting various purposes and times.......

1Co 13:8 Charity26 never3763 faileth:1601 but1161 whether1535 there be prophecies,4394 they shall fail;2673 whether1535 there be tongues,1100 they shall cease;3973 whether1535 there be knowledge,1108 it shall vanish away.2673
(KJV+)

G2673
katargeō
kat-arg-eh'-o
From G2596 and G691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively: - abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.
(Strongs)

G3973
pauō
pow'-o
A primn. verb (“pause”); to stop (transitive or intransitive), that is, restrain, quit, desist, come to an end: - cease, leave, refrain.
(Strongs)

1Co 13:8 -
Love never faileth (h agaph oudepote piptei). New turn for the perpetuity of love. Piptei correct text, not ekpiptei, as in Luk_16:17. Love survives everything.
They shall be done away (katarghqhsontai). First future passive of katargew. Rare in old Greek, to make idle (argov), inoperative. All these special spiritual gifts will pass. It is amazing how little of human work lasts.
They shall cease (pausontai). Future middle indicative of pauw, to make cease. They shall make themselves cease or automatically cease of themselves.
(Robertson's Word Pictures)

When the purpose of tongues, as sign gift for unbelievers and a judgement against the Jews,

Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
(KJV)

1Co 14:21 In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.
1Co 14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
(NASB)

Once the gospel was preached to the nations the judgement had occured and the purpose of tongues had ceased. Again, Church history bears this out.


I believe it passed with the Apostles which was probably later than 70A.D. Hope this helps. You could try looking around here Charismatic section for further depth. Chrysostom's homily on this passage may also ne helpful; Chrysostom a cessationist .


God bless,

william