Shalom,

I love reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, the love verses quoted so often, in different translations of the Bible. My favorite "version" is the one I found in Rick Renner's Sparkling Gems! I will share that again later. Today I want to take a look at THESE verses that have been quoted by so many who do not believe in the Infilling of born again believers by the already indwelling Holy Spirit! 1 Corinthians 13:8-9:

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

Do you notice that the "when" of the passing away of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge is when "the perfect" comes? There are many who believe that once the early church was begun and the Word of God was given, that the perfect was here. This is SO not true! If it were, then we would have no need to keep learning because we would know it all! No, we need only look at verses 9-12. I am using the Amplified Bible for these because it makes clear the meaning of the Greek words that were used. :

9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). 10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. 12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

This is clearly speaking of when we see Jesus face to face! HE is the only PERFECTION! The Word of God tells us that when we SEE Him, we will be LIKE Him, for we will see Him as He is! 1 John 3:2:

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

So, while we are eagerly and patiently waiting for His appearing, let's make full use of every Gift that He has given us to fulfill our calling, right here and right now, when we NEED them! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "God One And Only": {After will be the Renner version of the Love verses}

The following is an expanded interpretive translation of

First Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;

Love doesn’t demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;

Love is not ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;

Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;

Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;

Love is not rude and discourteous–it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;

Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;

Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;

Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;

Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;

Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;

Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;

Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;

Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;

Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.”

Shalom in Him!