1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NIV)
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Paul has spent this chapter explaining that agape love is far superior to any spiritual gift that a person might have received. Even though spiritual gifts might demonstrate that someone has the Holy Spirit in their lives, agape love clearly shows that the Holy Spirit has that person.
Paul’s point in this section is to show that the spiritual gifts are temporary, mere tools for this life to accomplish the work of God’s Kingdom in His way, with His power. When life on earth is over and Jesus draws all those who trust in Him to the foot of God’s throne, there will be no need for prophecy; each person will hear God’s voice directly, mouth to ear. There will be no need for helping ministries; God Himself will meet the needs of all His people. There will be no need for gifts of healing; God Himself will ensure the eternal health and safety of His people. There will be no need for speaking in tongues or interpreting; God’s words will be clear to all and in all.
As each person sees God face to face, and knows that they are fully seen, all that will remain are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, which are needed to bring a person’s soul to God’s throne, even faith and hope will fade into the confident assurance of the reality of being in God’s presence forever. And after that reality is firmly established in the heart, all that will remain is agape love, which will surround and envelop every one of God’s people forever.
Father, this makes perfect sense. What an amazing vision of the reality that is waiting for each of us! Thank You for providing these gifts to us, tools for accomplishing Your will. And thank You for the rock-solid reality that they will no longer be needed when we are around Your throne at the end of all things, living in Your agape love forever! Amen.