This lesson is part of a 4 sermon series, The Miraculous Spiritual Gifts:

1. Part One: Enumeration
2. Part Two: Duration #1
3. Part Three: Duration #2
4. Part Four: Regulation

PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13.8-13

Brent T. Willey

THE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Part Three: Duration #2

Introduction:

1. The duration of the miraculous spiritual gifts is directly related to duration of the apostolic age. [Ca. 30 – 96 AD]
2. 1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s definitive teaching regarding the duration of these miraculous spiritual gifts (esp. vs. 8-13).

THE CHRONOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

1. The duration of the apostolic age & the miraculous age…
   1. The apostles confirmed their preaching. (Heb. 2.1-4)
   2. The “laying on of the apostles’ hands” (Acts 18.8; 19.6).
2. 1 Cor. 13.8: “prophecy, tongues & knowledge”– Paul uses synecdoche: the three gifts represent all nine gifts…

FIGURES OF SPEECH, DEFINITIONS & ANALOGIES

1. Two figures of speech: “in part” & “perfect” (vs. 9-10).
   1. “In part” – to ek merous: bit by bit; piece by piece…
   2. “Perfect” – to teleion: complete, mature; its end…
2. Contextually, the “in part” refers to the spiritual gifts: “we know in part and we prophesy in part” (v. 9; cf., James 1.25).
3. The analogies (vs. 11-12)
   1. The child/man analogy:
      1. “Child” – nepios: an infant; not of age
      2. “Man” – aner: with reference to age, an adult man
   2. The mirror/face to face analogy
      1. “Mirror”– esoptron: ancient mirror [polished brass]
      2. “I know” – ginosko – ind. pres. act. 
      3. “I shall know” – epignōsomai – ind. fut. mid.
      4. “I am known” – epegnōsthen – ind. aorist pass.

Conclusion: We now have God’s revealed Word! (2 Tim. 3.16-17)