1 Corinthians 13.9-12 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now 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.

(see also 1 Peter 4.7 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer, & 1 John 3.2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, & Philippians 3.11-16 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brothers, I don’t count myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing, & Philippians 2.15-16 That you may be blameless and innocent, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the middle of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life, & 2 Peter 3.11-14 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless).
*************

This passage speaks of waiting for the perfect, of acting and thinking childishly, of partial knowledge and obscured vision. Paul is clearly describing our present environment (the world which is passing away), and the limitations of our function and experience in this world compared to the world which is to come.

Yet he makes it clear that this environment does not dictate our present identity as believers. Just two chapters from now Paul will dive headfirst into the discussion of the resurrection: the corruptible body we live in now, and the incorruptible body we will put on at the appearing of Christ. Paul makes the distinction absolute; we live in the firstfruits of resurrection life, but we must recognize that the resurrection body and the world that is to come are literal realities far beyond our current understanding or even imagination.

Chapter 13 is all about divine love. Paul is holding out unviolated divine love as both presently and eternally valuable. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God; and God in him. Prophecy, tongues, the word of knowledge, powerful effective faith – all of these are vitally important to functioning now in the kingdom of God. The transition to Chapter 14 could not be more direct: “Follow after divine love, and desire the spiritual.” The life of divine love is not presented counter to the functions of the Spirit, but as primary to them.

Yet divine love is not only primary to every function of the kingdom of God now. It is superior, because it will be primary to every function of the eternal kingdom of God. Love will abide and preside far beyond the most powerful, effective, and dynamic functions of the kingdom of God in this present earth. I have personally witnessed the power of God touching a blind person and opening both their eyes. I have personally witnessed the power of God touching people absolutely racked with demons, and completely setting them free; to the point where they stand clothed in their right mind praising God. And I have personally witnessed people deep in the deceptive grip of pagan religion fall down on their knees and cry out to God at the prophetic preaching of Jesus the living Savior. These kingdom activities are so wonderful, they so clearly display who God is and how infinitely deep his love goes; yet as glorious as they are now, there will be no need for them in the new heavens and new earth. All who can be healed will be healed, all who can be delivered will be delivered; all who can be saved will be saved.

If we can understand that even the prophetic preaching of the gospel is not included in “that which is perfect” (in the sense that it will some day its function will be completely fulfilled), then we can understand the sense in which the Greek language calls us “childish.” Compared to what we will be in our resurrection bodies in the new heavens and new earth, we are children right now. This allegory functions almost exactly the same as the allegory in which Jewish believers prior to the coming of Christ were considered children, under the law as their schoolmaster until the Messiah had come. They were limited in their function simply because the time for the revelation of Jesus had not yet come. Even so, under the old covenant God called more than a few of these children perfect (‘tam’) and righteous (‘tzadik’).

We must understand what Paul means that we now function as children. There are two distinct ways to consider a seven-year-old child “not perfect.” If he constantly told lies to his parents and teachers, we could say he was not a perfect child, meaning that he was morally deficient, very much in need of correction. Would we call him imperfect if he could not lift a hundred-pound bag of cement? No, that’s something no one would expect of him until he was full-grown. Yet in the Greek “perfect” (‘telios’) can easily be translated “mature, complete, of full age.” So in that sense, anyone watching a seven-year-old trying unsuccessfully to lift the cement bag could say it’s because he’s not full-grown, not ‘telios,’ not perfect. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is not comparing morally deficient things to righteous things; he is comparing things of great but temporary spiritual value to things that remain in the maturity of eternity.

1 Corinthians 13 spells out beautifully how we are to live perfect (blameless) as we mature to the perfection (fulfillment) of God’s eternal kingdom. Our mandate is that we now live fully immersed in, fully identified with, and fully controlled by God’s divine love. Against this love there is no law; neither in this age, nor the age to come.