Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 04:2 (Fall 1993)
Article: 1 Cor 13:11 Revisited An Exegetical Update
Author: Robert L. Thomas

MSJ 4:2 (Fall 93) p. 187

1 Cor 13:11 Revisited
An Exegetical Update

Robert L. Thomas

Professor of New Testament

About twenty years have passed since this author advanced the interpretation that τὸ τέλειον (to teleion, “the complete,” “the mature”) in 1 Cor 13:10 referred to the mature body of Christ and that a stage of maturity in the growth of that body marked the termination of revelatory and sign gifts in the ancient church. With a fresh focus on 1 Cor 13:11, he now updates the discussion in light of various responses that have questioned the validity of that position. He elaborates on why the substantive cannot mean “the perfect,” why it must mean “complete” or “mature,” why the context requires such, and answers objections to the view.

* * * * *

A number of years ago I proposed an interpretation of 1 Cor 13:10 which assigned τὸ τέλειον (to teleion) the meaning of “complete” or “mature” instead of the more frequently rendering of “perfect.”1 At least three developments show the subject needs a renewed look: (1) a misconstruing or confused statement of my view by others;2 (2) a continuing claim that biblical exegesis yields no explicit indication of the termination of some spiritual gifts;3 and (3) a growing personal

MSJ 4:2 (Fall 93) p. 188

realization that explanations of the passage have overlooked the important contribution of 1 Cor 13:11 to the meaning of to teleion. A renewed discussion of the issue can probably do little to remedy whatever it is that causes (1) above, but perhaps a focused treatment of the exegetical nuances related to 1 Cor 13:11 and their impact on the meaning of to teleion in 13:10 will contribute to a recognition that (2) is wrong in light of the oversight named in (3).

Farnell has conveniently summarized the five main viewpoints regarding the meaning of to teleion in 1 Cor 13:10: (1) the death of a believer when ushered into Christ’s presen...