But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
Parallel translations
- WEB but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.
- KJV But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
- BSB but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
- NKJV But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
- NASB but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the complete comes, the partial will pass away. A coming fullness will render present partial gifts obsolete.
Overview
Paul anticipates a future completeness that will supersede the partial gifts. Faithful Christians disagree on what 'the complete' refers to, with many understanding it as the consummation at Christ's return when believers see Him face to face. Either way, the point stands that present gifts are provisional, while love endures into the age to come.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Cor 13:12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
- Isa 60:19–20The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
- 2 Cor 5:7–8for we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Isa 24:23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.
- Rev 22:4–5They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
- Rev 21:22–23I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 13:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.