I came across your article while doing some research on the internet. thanks for your insight. A couple of questions come to mind that I wonder if you can help me with. First, would it make any difference if tonges, prophecy, knowledge are understood not as miracles but as manifestations of the Spirit in the worship of the body? Secondly, can the phrase “now abides . . .” refer to right now in the present age and not after the Lord’s return? … My background teaches cessationism based largely on this verse but I certainly have read a good many NT scholars who hold differently. In His Name, Mike Garrigan, Bluff Park, AL
Granted, “tongues, prophecy and knowledge” were manifestations of the Spirit that sometimes occurred in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14). Howbeit, 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 dealt with the abuses that the Corinthian church made of the miraculous gifts afforded them. In the context, then, these were miraculous manifestations. The biblical definition of “tongues” from Acts 2 is that they were languages common to men of various nations, which the Holy Spirit enabled some such as the apostles to speak without prior acquaintance with them. In a sense, we still use tongues today, though instead of relying upon miracles, we must study the languages to learn to speak in the languages of various nations.
“Faith, hope, charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13) does refer to the present and not to when the Lord returns, as when Jesus Christ returns, faith and hope will evaporate in the face of realization of the things for which we formerly entertained faith and hope.
No offense intended, but is your reference to “scholars” relative to Greek lexicographers or denominational theologians whose doctrinal stance has been decided for them by others before they approach the sacred text? Really, this is a rhetorical question. The context of 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 is such that it must be manipulated to make the partial revelation not refer to the context’s counterpart of complete revelation.
