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No.19.
pp. 123 - 125
We have been considering the "more excellent way" of Divine love that the Apostle
Paul had set forth to the Corinthian believers, being far superior to all the evidential gifts
of the Spirit, including the gift of tongues, which apparently this assembly was rating far
too highly. This gift, with the others, was transient and passing, but the love which
comes from God is eternal and abiding.
Moreover, these gifts were not necessary to spiritual maturity. When one grows up,
one can put away the things of childhood (I Cor. 13: 9-11). This maturity is a reflection
of the complete perfection of the glorified state in resurrection.
"For now we see in a mirror, darkly (lit. in an enigma); but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then I shall know even as also I have been known" (13: 12 R.V.).
This verse gives facts that must ever be borne in mind. However much we know of
God's truth it is partial, not complete, and will not be so until our hope is realized and we
are with the Lord with bodies fashioned like the body of His glory (Phil. 3:), and the
present limitations of comprehension gone for ever. It is this very human limitation that
causes so many of our present problems, specially in regard to our understanding of the
Scriptures. What we are seeing now is likened to a reflection in a mirror and often
puzzling at that ("in an enigma" literally).
This should stop us from acting and talking as though we have all knowledge now and
can solve every problem that comes our way, specially those concerning God's person
and His being! In this present life, God has been stooping in condescension in His
revelation of Himself and His ways, having respect to our great limitations of
comprehension. We can only know a small part now. What is beyond us can be covered
by faith in Him, for we know that He has the answer to all problems, and in the next life
He will justify all His dealings with mankind which are incomprehensible now.
Meanwhile we can thank Him for the abiding gifts of faith (in Him and His word),
hope (the certain fulfillment of all His promises) and love, the supreme expression of the
Lord and His gracious purposes which is now shed abroad in our hearts. This must ever
be the fruit of all fruits, dominating our lives and witness for Him.
In chapter 14:, the Apostle returns to the evidential gifts, specially that of tongues.
First of all we shall note his assessment of this gift, and the way it should be controlled in
the Corinthian assembly. In view of the fact that Pentecostalism and tongue speaking in
particular seems on the increase today, we shall give this too a Scriptural consideration as
to whether it is a bad thing, or a good thing to be sought after.
Actually the Apostle never counsels the Corinthians to seek for the gift of tongues
separately as though it was the highest and best of the gifts (as most Pentecostalists
assert). What he does do is to emphasize once more the importance of love.