Knowing and Prophesying in Part 1 Corinthians 13:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, although “prophecies, tongues and knowledge” shall be “rendered useless”, “charity” or “love” “never fails”, and in chapter thirteen and verse nine of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “we know...and prophesy in part”, where we read:

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

The verse begins, “For we know in part, ...”. Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “we know” or “Paul and the church members learn, get knowledge of, understand and perceive” “in part” which means “to some degree, severally an individually”. Paul acknowledged he and the church members' lack of perceiving everything.

The verse goes on to say, “... and we prophesy in part.” Paul continued with the words, “and we” which refers to “Paul and the church members'” “prophesy” or “uttering forth and declaring things which can only be known by divine revelation” “in part” which means “to some degree, severally an individually”. Paul acknowledged he and the church members' lack of “prophesying” everything that may be “prophesied”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we understand the partial nature of both “knowledge” and “prophesy”. Though these are very useful “spiritual gifts”, they are not complete in themselves. Jesus Christ desires for His church to know the completeness of His “love”, and they are to demonstrate this “agape love” to others. Let us keep in mind that some of the “spiritual gifts” are only fulfilled “in part”, but there is the hope for a more “perfect” means in Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul shares with the church members what happens, “when that which is perfect is come”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.