By John Pappas, ThDIn the previous article, the Biblical definition of "the gift of tongues" was given as: a supernatural, spontaneous, giving of a known language used in the same way as that of Acts chapter two (Greek ‘glossa’ “tongue,” used metaphorically as “language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations”). Now that the background of 1 Corinthians has been explained, it is now time to look at the text of 13:8-10. Paul uses a great literary mechanism in this section as he uses the three terms: tongues, prophecy and knowledge. He now moves with poetic style, interjecting love into the equation.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10:
Love never fails.
But whether there are prophecies,
they will fail;
whether there are tongues,
they will cease;
whether there is knowledge,
it will vanish away.
For we know in part
and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come,
then that which is in part will be done away.
As you can see, the term prophecies, tongues and knowledge are now placed in their proper order – God’s word comes first, then the individual speaks God’s word in one’s own tongue which brings knowledge, but all this is superintended by the Holy Spirit.
Notice, Paul places love in contrast to the three. First, love will never fail (present tense), if there be prophecies, they will cease (Greek ‘katargeo’ Future Passive, “to cause to cease, render idle”). Prophecies will, in the future, be stopped as the passive means an external agent will perform the action.
Second, tongues will cease (Greek ‘pauo’ Future Middle, “to make to cease, to leave off, to stop”). Tongues will in the future, itself stop to be the only form of spreading the Gospel of Christ. That is to say, before the written word, the gospel was spread mouth to mouth or in the Greek language – tongue-to-tongue. Again, the Holy Spirit is superintending the word of mouth spread of the gospel. It will be spread by word of mouth from Jesus until the book of Revelation sometime in the AD 90s. Here the action of ceasing is in the middle voice meaning that “itself” will cease, a willing cessation in contrast to the passive voice which denotes a forced cessation (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).
The last item is knowledge, and it too will cease (Greek ‘katargeo’ Future Passive, “to cause to cease, render idle”). Knowledge will also be rendered idle. Again, the action will occur in the future and will be accomplished by an external agent – the Holy Spirit. What does it mean that knowledge will cease? This is the same supernatural knowledge that is superintended by the Holy Spirit and spoken of earlier “for one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit” (12:8). That is to say, the knowledge here is supernatural spontaneous knowledge gifted to an individual for the purpose of understanding the word and applying God’s word to an occasion. This knowledge is different from the knowledge that associates with the work of the Holy Spirit today.
In fact, Chapter 12 is where all this starts and where these gifts are defined. Notice what Paul writes:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor. 12:1-10)
It is clear from the text that 'tongues' are normal known human languages that are used as instruments to clearly communicate the word of God to the world.
The next thing to identify is what is it that "we know in part?"
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” What in the world is Paul saying? The Greek really points out what this thing is that is known “in part.”
The “we” is Paul and the Church who currently know and prophesy part of the whole which is yet to come. They know some, but not all of what God has to bring to them. In verse 10, Paul adds that in some point in time (the Greek aorist describes action at a point in time) the whole will come and their partial knowledge will no longer be needed, and in fact, will cease (Greek ‘katargeo’ Future Passive, “to cause to cease, render idle”).
The word for perfect is a neuter adjective (Greek ‘teleios’ “brought to its end, finished, perfect”) and points not to the Church, or the kingdom, or to Jesus’ return, but to the message, the thing that is known in part (Greek ‘meros’ neuter). When will that prophecy which is partial be complete? It is complete when the last book of the Bible is written. Context demands that this wonderful three part poem correspond with the word of God that is to be used throughout the world in one’s own language to be clearly spread.
Dr. Couch writes, “the prophets were important, as emphasized by Paul when he placed them in second position after the apostles (Eph. 4:11). But then the office of prophet ceased after the completion of the New Testament, like the office of apostle. The same thing happened with the Old Testament. Those ancient prophets disappeared when that testament was finished about four hundred years before Christ. (Mal Couch, gen. ed., A Biblical Theology of the Church, AMG, p. 59)
Much confusion has been spread concerning tongues especially with the great growth of the charismatic Church. While there are different interpretations within the charismatic church concerning tongues and their use, it needs to be pointed out that their use in the Corinthian church was in error and it involved pagan worship. Unknown 'secret' knowledge and the desire to be a special spokesman for God that only you know, is pagan! We have the plain Word of God. We would all do well to place that same excitement and enthusiasm into reading His written Word and use our individual gifts to build up the Church today.
--
John Pappas, ThD, is the author of BibleGreekVpod, a website dedicated to the teaching of the original Bible languages for those who want to learn them.
More than fifty scholars combine their expertise to present a historical and topical dictionary of premillennial theology.
THE ANTICHRIST AND ISLAM is a clarification and exposition of Matthew 24 and the issue of Babylon the Harlot.
This is a MUST READ! THE COMING KINGDOM REIGN OF CHRIST with Dr. Andy Woods, Dr. Paul Benware, and Dr. Mal Couch. 
This landmark work, with contributions from thirty-four notable Bible scholars, pastors, and teachers, sets forth a distinctively biblical agenda for the Christian faith in the twenty-first century.
Premillenial Commentary on 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. The church in Thessalonica was a congregation of new believers that was impacting their world for Jesus, but their awe-inspiring love for Christ came at a terrible price. They endured tremendous trials and tribulations, to the point that many gave their lives for the gospel. 
It would be impossible to write the history of the evangelical church of the last half of the twentieth century without giving Dr. John Walvoord a prominent position. For more than sixty years he has stood, without apology, for the literal interpretation of all Scripture, particularly Bible prophecy. More than any other one man he has kept the "blessed hope" of the pretribulational Rapture alive and well.
This extensive resource examines the doctrine of the church and offers guidance on mission, pastoral care, leadership, and government in the local church. Numerous Scripture references, practical suggestions, and discussion questions for every chapter make this work on ecclesiology perfect for both personal and group study.
Leading evangelical educators combine efforts in this thorough look at the text of Revelation and the issues that most interest and trouble twenty-first century readers and students. Includes a verse-by-verse explanation and background analysis.
This three-part work begins with a discussion of the major theological issues in the Book of Acts. The second section explores the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The third section presents a verse-by-verse handbook to Acts; discussing the background and significance of the people, places, and events.
This book covers every aspect of making a church work, with biblical and practical ideas for handling and solving daily problems, counseling, and spiritual issues.
The book is ideal for personal study, Bible class, or Sunday school curriculum. Every verse about the Holy Spirit in the Bible is commented on, from Genesis to Revelation.
Dr. Robert Lightner, long-time friend of mine, has just completed an outstanding volume on the person of Christ as seen through the eyes of the apostle John. The twenty-nine chapters break down the life and words of Christ by subject. Some of the main chapters: Lamb of God, Savior of Sinners, The Bread of Life, Divine Shepherd, Resurrection and the Life, King without a Throne. These chapters, along with many others, give the reader just what the book promises: the outstanding biblical portraits of Christ. Send your $15 Donation Includes Shipping & Handling to SCOFIELD MINISTRIES, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634
The world is moving rapidly toward the events described in the final days in the book of Daniel. While no one wishes to be a date setter, few can doubt that we are coming into a Middle Eastern and even an international conflict that will give birth to terrible consequences for the entire world. The Middle East and the Islamic hatred of Israel in that part of the world puts our world teetering on the edge of disaster.
There is no book like this one! The book, carefully researched by Dr. Mal Couch, gives the historic background of the last centuries that lead up to our day. The 140 page hardback is a stunning presentation of the fall of Europe after the Reformation, and a thorough treatment of the last two centuries that led us up to our times. “In the spring of 2008 it seemed as if the world just fell apart.”
Dr. Andy Woods has completed a lengthy study book entitled “A Futurist Response to Preterism: Revelation 17-18.” This 279 page book is meant for the serious student of the Word who is interested in a complete study of the subject, especially focusing on the issue of Babylon the Harlot in Revelation. This treatment of the subject is spiral-bound so that it can lay flat for research and study.
Dr. Couch's hardback book tells the story of Satan's opposition against America and the Nations of the world. The book examines the working of demonic opposition in history and as described in Scripture. Also, an examination of the evil coming against the world and Israel in the last days.
An outstanding book by Dr. Couch that tells of our call to reach the Jews for Christ first. By the thousands Jews are coming to Christ, in America, Israel, and around the world, in record numbers.
In the 1950s through the 1970s I was working full and part-time as a newsman with WFAA-TV, Channel 8, in Dallas. A close friend was a co-worker, Jerry Haynes, who thrilled all the little kids in Dallas as "Mr. Peppermint." Jerry was very talented. He was eleven years older than I and happened to also be attending SMU. When I first met him he was not a believer in Christ though he was attending a Methodist church.
An ideal paperback to hand to someone who does not know Christ as Savior. 