"BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME..."
November 1, 1987 Issue
Cris Graham

When we make our stand against error, whether in or out of the church, we base our stand upon that which represents itself above error. Logical enough.

Knowing that in order to reprove and instruct in righteousness, the Bible proves a valuable tool and guide. But with men and women involved with denominationalism, it does not take long before the authority and perfectness of the Bible rests in doubt.

This "doubt" of Biblical inspiration and authority lies in most honestly deceived peoples interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 wherein we find it states: "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

To bolster their claim, denominationalists say the word "perfect" in this verse means Christ - as Thayer says in his Greek-English Lexicon on page 618: "the perfect state of all things, to be ushered in by the return of Christ from heaven, 1 Cor. xiii. 10." But as with all authors of Lexicons, commentaries, etc., we must always remain on guard for attitudes creeping into interpretations.

We find in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, page 71, another interpretation for the word "perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13:10 - "complete (in various applications of labour, growth, mental and moral character, etc.) neut. (as noun, with 3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect." Too, in Moulton's 1978 Greek Lexicon, page 400: "full grown, of ripe age."

Since the word under discussion comes to us as "neuter gender", this means neither masculine nor feminine, then reference of this can only mean a thing, not a person. Hence, the completed Bible. This also fits the context of what Paul tells us: "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Verse 11. When the death of the last apostle came, miraculous gifts left also.

For some of those not of our Lord's church, miracles and tongues still believe to exist despite such things as these not taught in His word. Men and women of denominations crave something nowhere prescribed in the Bible. No wonder why they should want to cast doubt upon that which is perfect - the word of God, the Bible.