"Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will fail; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there are knowledge, to pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be abolished (1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NKJV) What is the perfect mentioned in this passage? there is a lot of disagreement on the topic and more than a few different views on perfection in this passage To understand what perfect is, though, we need to know what part is, then we can logically conclude that what is replacing it, namely that it is perfect. Many skip what is in part and begin to guess the perfect and come to the wrong conclusion. Some say that the perfect is Christ, and although Christ is indeed perfect, he is not the perfect mentioned in this passage, since logic denies it. If Christ is the perfect, then what is that which is in part? What is it replacing? Paul speaks of the perfect as if it were yet to come, and yet would replace what partly exists. If so, we cannot say that the perfect one is Christ, unless we say that Paul believed that He was yet to come. Paul died for his faith in the resurrected Christ, and no one would die for something they knew wasn't true. Therefore, the perfect could not be Christ. Still others declare that the perfect is the church, stating that one day the church will be perfect. This is a noble thought and a great goal to strive for, but it is not even what Paul was referring to. If the Church were ever to become perfect, what would it replace at that point? Couldn't be replaced...... middle of paper...... century. Not everyone had the powers of miracles in the first century, and they were only temporary, as they could not be passed on to others except through the Twelve, and once they passed, they could no longer be passed on to others, and miracles became extinct in the world . Not all had the gift of miracles, but now all men have access to the written word of God. Works Cited"What is 'perfect' in 1 Corinthians 13:10?" Last modified: unknown. www.churchofchristlexne.ord/page23.php"What does perfect mean in 1 Corinthians 13:10?" Last modified: unknown. www.housetohouse.com/BibleQuestions.aspx?Letter=all&Question=4195Jackson, Bill, "A Commentary on First Corinthians" Abilene, TX, 1990 134-135Coffman, James Burton "Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:1" "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament" Abilene, TX 1983-1999