In the light of the context, what is perfect (Gr. teleion, mature, whole, complete) probably refers to the whole truth about God. [1] Another possibility is that it is our state when we stand in the Lord"s presence. [2] When we reach that point in history the Lord will remove (katargeo, cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8) what is partial, the limits on our knowledge and the other limitations we suffer in our present condition. Variations on this second view are that the perfect refers to the Rapture, [3] to the Lord"s return, [4] or to the maturing of Christ"s body through the course of the church age. [5][source]
Another view is that the perfect refers to the completion of the New Testament canon and the partial to the incomplete canon and the Corinthians" partial knowledge. [6] They were incomplete because God had not yet given all the prophecy He would give to complete the New Testament. However this view puts too much weight on prophecy and knowledge and not enough on our other temporary limitations, to which Paul also referred ( 1 Corinthians 13:12). [source][source][source]
A third possibility is that the perfect refers to the new heavens and new earth. [5] However the New Testament does not reveal that God will remove Christians" limitations to any greater extent sometime after we see the Lord Jesus than He will when we see Him (cf. Romans 8:32). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The One Essential For All
With what wonder his amanuensis must have looked up, as the Apostle broke into this exquisite sonnet on love! His radiant spirit had caught a glimpse of the living Savior. Jesus sits for His portrait in these glowing sentences, and of Him every clause is true. Substitute His name for love throughout the chapter, and say whether it is not an exact likeness. With Paul love stands for that strong, sustained, and holy subordination of self for others, which begins in will and act and is afterward suffused by emotion, as a cloud lying in the pathway of the rising sun. But if you want the divine love, you must get it after the manner of the bay which opens its bosom to the incoming tide. God is love, and if you would love, you must abide in Him and He in you. Love is better than miracles, gifts, or philanthropy, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Love is the parent of all that is most delightful in the moral sphere, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is the best of all, because it is eternal. All else will perish. Our highest attainments will be as the babblings and playthings of childhood. But when we are in touch with the reality of things, love will be all in all. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 13
1All gifts, 3however excellent, are of no worth without love 4The praises thereof, 13as love is greatest before hope and faith
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 13:10
That which is perfect [το τελειον] The perfect, the full-grown (τελος telos end), the mature. See note on 1 Corinthians 2:6. οταν ελτηι Hotan elthēi is second aorist subjunctive with οταν hotan temporal clause for indefinite future time. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 13:10
Romans 11:25In part [ἀπὸ μέρους] Μέρος partis never used adverbially in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. In the Epistles it is rarely used in any other way. The only exceptions are 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:3; Ephesians 4:9,Ephesians 4:16. Paul employs it in several combinations. With ἀπό from(1 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:5), and ἐκ outof (1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 13:9,1 Corinthians 13:10,1 Corinthians 13:12), in which a thing is conceived as looked at from the part, either ( ἀπὸ ) as a simple point of view, or ( ἐκ ) as a standard according to which the whole is estimated. Thus 1 Corinthians 12:27, “members ἐκ μέρους severallyi.e., members from a part of the whole point of view. Also with ἐν inas Colossians 2:16, with respect to, literally, in the matter of. With ἀνά upthe idea being of a series or column of parts reckoned upward, part by part. Μέρος τι withregard to some part, partly, occurs 1 Corinthians 11:18; and κατὰ μέρος , reckoning part by part downward; according to part, particularly, Hebrews 9:5. Construe here with hath happened: has partially befallen. Not partial hardening, but hardening extending over a part. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]
1 Corinthians 15:24To God, even the Father [τωι τεωι και πατρι] Better, “to the God and Father” or to “His God and Father.” The Kingdom belongs to the Father. When he shall have abolished (οταν καταργησηι hotan katargēsēi). First aorist active subjunctive with οταν hotan indefinite future time. Simply, “whenever he shall abolish,” no use in making it future perfect, merely aorist subjunctive. On καταργεω katargeō see note on 1 Corinthians 6:13; note on 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 13:10; noteon 1 Corinthians 13:11.Rule All forms of power opposing the will of God. Constative aorist tense covering the whole period of conflict with final victory as climax. [source]
Galatians 3:5Worketh miracles [energōn dunameis)] On the word ενεργων δυναμεις energeō see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:13; note on 1 Corinthians 12:6. It is a great word for God‘s activities (Philemon 2:13). “In you” (Lightfoot) is preferable to “among you” for ενεργεω en humin (1 Corinthians 13:10; Matthew 14:2). The principal verb for “doeth he it” (εν υμιν poiei) is not expressed. Paul repeats the contrast in Galatians 3:2 about “works of the law” and “the hearing of faith.” [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 13:10 mean?
whenhowevershould cometheperfectinpartwill be done away
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 13:10
The perfect, the full-grown (τελος telos end), the mature. See note on 1 Corinthians 2:6. οταν ελτηι Hotan elthēi is second aorist subjunctive with οταν hotan temporal clause for indefinite future time. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 13:10
Μέρος partis never used adverbially in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. In the Epistles it is rarely used in any other way. The only exceptions are 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:3; Ephesians 4:9, Ephesians 4:16. Paul employs it in several combinations. With ἀπό from(1 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:5), and ἐκ outof (1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 13:9, 1 Corinthians 13:10, 1 Corinthians 13:12), in which a thing is conceived as looked at from the part, either ( ἀπὸ ) as a simple point of view, or ( ἐκ ) as a standard according to which the whole is estimated. Thus 1 Corinthians 12:27, “members ἐκ μέρους severallyi.e., members from a part of the whole point of view. Also with ἐν inas Colossians 2:16, with respect to, literally, in the matter of. With ἀνά upthe idea being of a series or column of parts reckoned upward, part by part. Μέρος τι withregard to some part, partly, occurs 1 Corinthians 11:18; and κατὰ μέρος , reckoning part by part downward; according to part, particularly, Hebrews 9:5. Construe here with hath happened: has partially befallen. Not partial hardening, but hardening extending over a part. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Better, “to the God and Father” or to “His God and Father.” The Kingdom belongs to the Father. When he shall have abolished (οταν καταργησηι hotan katargēsēi). First aorist active subjunctive with οταν hotan indefinite future time. Simply, “whenever he shall abolish,” no use in making it future perfect, merely aorist subjunctive. On καταργεω katargeō see note on 1 Corinthians 6:13; note on 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 13:10; noteon 1 Corinthians 13:11.Rule All forms of power opposing the will of God. Constative aorist tense covering the whole period of conflict with final victory as climax. [source]
First aorist active subjunctive with οταν hotan indefinite future time. Simply, “whenever he shall abolish,” no use in making it future perfect, merely aorist subjunctive. On καταργεω katargeō see note on 1 Corinthians 6:13; note on 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 13:10; noteon 1 Corinthians 13:11. [source]
On the word ενεργων δυναμεις energeō see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:13; note on 1 Corinthians 12:6. It is a great word for God‘s activities (Philemon 2:13). “In you” (Lightfoot) is preferable to “among you” for ενεργεω en humin (1 Corinthians 13:10; Matthew 14:2). The principal verb for “doeth he it” (εν υμιν poiei) is not expressed. Paul repeats the contrast in Galatians 3:2 about “works of the law” and “the hearing of faith.” [source]