The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Help with Tongues

My understanding of v. 12 is simply this: Paul is comparing the present reality with that which is to come, i.e., glory (aka: the New Heaven and New Earth where we shall see the Lord face-to-face. cf. 1Jh 3:2). Thus all these things which he mentions are "inferior", e.g., knowledge, knowing, prophecy, etc. for they are but reflections of the true reality of God Himself, which He has given to us through the medium of His Word. One may see this same "inferior" communication in the teaching of the Lord Christ, Who often spoke in parables. The "inferiority" isn't to be seen in the actual content of the communication but in the medium of that communication. But it can also be said that the medium is perfect in that it serves its audience as it was and is intended to do. We, being yet plagued with the residuals of the Fall are yet incapable of comprehending the great truths and mysteries which are hidden and hinted at in the Word (now I know in part) but which will be fully known, as much as we as finite beings are capable of knowing, as God is capable of knowing us (as I was fully known).

It is Paul's purpose in this section bring things into their proper perspective and dispel the distortion of the present reality in which the Corinthians had made to be far more than they should have; i.e., these gifts were only temporal and inferior to the reality which was to come. They had lost sight of the reason these gifts were given; i.e., 1) to be a sign of the fact that God's grace of salvation in Christ was now universal in nature. 2) a verification of the authority given to the Apostles, 3) the fulfillment of the prophecies which spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit Who will indwell each and every believer, et al. Thus these ecstatic/revelatory gifts were intended to be temporary until the universal church was firmly established by the Apostles. (cf. Eph 2:20). Once that had happened, and it did when the Gentiles had been brought into the Church, and the structure of the Church had been established by the Apostles, their use would no longer be needed and they would pass away, which they did.

In His Grace,