In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is addressing the temporality of the “sign gifts” such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge and the superiority of love. Love is not temporal but endures forever and should be the motivation behind the rest. In the midst of discussing the temporality, Paul makes the statement, “now we know in part” in 1 Corinthians 13:12, but at some point, in the future, relative to Paul, the partial would be no more as the “perfect” or “complete” had come.
In 1 Corinthians 13:8, Paul names three things that would “cease/be stilled/pass away”; namely, prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. These things are aspects of the “partial” which Paul is addressing. However, in 1 Corinthians 13:10, Paul states that when “completeness comes, what is in part disappears.” The Greek word for completeness can be translated in three ways; perfect, complete, or mature. So, how should it be translated in this instance? Answering this question first helps to clarify the rest.
Paul often writes utilizing antithetical statements. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 2:6, the word as used to describe those who Paul speaks wisdom to. He would later describe his audience as infants, showing that he had to speak simply in their presence. In 1 Corinthians 14:20, Paul is describing infants and puts them in opposition to mature, the same word used in 1 Corinthians 13:10. In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is discussing those things which are in part, but whenever the antithesis of this comes, the partial will be done away. It would seem to follow Pauline writing style, the best translation would be “complete.” What is this complete thing that Paul is discussing?
Paul is discussing those things which are in part, such as knowing in part. Everything he is discussing has to do with revelation. To keep in line with Paul’s argument, it would seem the Bible, or God’s completed revelation, is the best understanding for the identity of the complete.
Paul continues to give two illustrations throughout verses 11-12. The first is that a person’s maturing process. Paul utilizes the analogy of physical growth and the maturing of a person as this process takes place to show the disappearance of childlike characteristics. As a person matures out of childhood, they ought to do away with the childlike characteristics such as speaking like a child, thinking like a child, and reasoning like a child. He then uses the illustration of one looking in a mirror. “For now we see in a mirror [or in a riddle], but then face to face…” Paul utilizes these two illustrations to show the relationship of revelatory gifts. They are in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will be done away, much like childlike characteristics as one matures.
Many have a hard time reconciling the idea of the Bible being the “complete” due to 1 Corinthians 13:12, and more specifically, the idea of “face to face.” Often face to face is understood as an eschatological idea, typically being face to face with Jesus. However, does that context fit in 1 Corinthians 13:12? It seems not.
Mirror is used twice in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 13:12 and James 1:23. James 1:23 spells out that the viewer is viewing themselves in the mirror, as one would expect. It would seem logical that the viewer in 1 Corinthians 13:12 is doing the same. Face to face seems to be pointing to the idea that one is viewing themselves fully. Again, Paul is utilizing an antithetical to show the disappearance of the partial. To insert an eschatological view to the passage seems to be inconsistent with the context of the passage.
With that in mind, what is Paul saying whenever he states that we know in part (1 Corinthians 13:12)? At the time of writing, Paul didn’t have a completed Bible, but instead was partial in his understanding. The audience would have had a partial Bible as well as the other writers had not written. If this is correct, then those have the Scriptures have opportunity to know fully. God has provided a completed Revelation of himself. This is not to say that God has provided an exhaustive revelation of himself but has revealed all He desires to reveal about himself.
