The Love Chapter
July 13
Paul sandwiches 1 Corinthians 13 between chapters 12 and 14 for a reason. Unfortunately, the subject and use of Spiritual gifts is often divisive in churches and denominations. Paul says that love must be the driver of our lives and the guardian of the exercise of our spiritual gift(s). It’s only after making his comments on love that he develops his thoughts on Spiritual gifts.
As for division over Spiritual gifts, some people say that all of the gifts are sovereignly given and available for use today. This view is called continuationism. (i.e., the gifts continue today.) Others say that the “sign gifts” (e.g., tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, words of knowledge, and prophecy) disappeared with the passing of the Apostles. This view is called cessationism. (i.e., some gifts ceased in the past). They base this view on 1 Corinthians 13:8–10: Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. (BSB)
John MacArthur, for example, said in many of his books and articles that since we have a perfect Bible, we don’t need imperfect spiritual gifts. However, Dr. MacArthur failed to read the full context of this verse. In fact, Paul defines “the perfect”. And he’s not talking about the completed canon of Scripture.
Now we see but a dim 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. (1 Corinthians 13:12, BSB)
We have not yet seen Jesus face-to-face. And until that day, the church needs all of the Spiritual gifts.
Now, it’s important to note that the Bible is perfect. The Bible is “Special Revelation”. The Bible is inspired by God. The Bible is infallible (i.e., it is completely trustworthy). The Bible is inerrant (i.e., it is God’s Word without any mixture of errors). The Bible is the only dependable, normative source of authority for believers. The canon of Scripture (the complete sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments) is closed. God has already said everything He intends to say to the church and the lost world.
However, it’s also important to note that fallible, not-inerrant illumination and application (i.e., “fresh words”) are helpful for God’s people today. Such non-normative, often called “fresh revelation,” must be evaluated in light of God’s normative revelation, the Bible. (1 Corinthians 14:26–29)
Application
The primary source for God’s perspective on everything is the Bible. Believers should never seek a sign outside the Bible first. If we think we hear God’s voice, (John 10:27) we must submit what we hear to God’s written Word, the Bible, to see if there’s a confirmation or contradiction with God’s Word. Seek wise counsel from other (wiser) believers who won’t just tell you what you want to hear. But again, check the Bible. First. God also speaks through circumstances, and He speaks through the church. But again, check the Bible. First.