My understanding is that the gifts will not cease until ‘we shall see face to face’ and ‘I shall know fully, even as I am fully known’. That sounds awfully like when we are face to face with God Himself, when we are in his presence.
That's what I thought, and completely agree. But now, tell me where you think Paul is getting v.12 from. I ask because my opinion (shared by others) is that he is quoting Numbers 12:8. Let me find my post and requote it here:
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In 1st Corinthians 13, Paul stated the following: "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect comes, that which is in part will be set aside... for now we
see through a glass darkly (as in "an enigma"), but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I have been known" (1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 12).
Paul was here making use of Numbers 12, where it states, "Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud. He stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, He said, 'Listen to My words. When there is a prophet among you, I the Lord reveal Myself to him in visions. I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of My servant Moses. He is faithful in all My house. With him I speak
face to face clearly, and
not in enigmas. He sees the [very] form of the Lord. Why, then, were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:5-8 ).
Paul used these exact same expressions to make the same comparison; of God speaking "face to face" (πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον) verses Him speaking to His prophets "in enigmas" (ἐν αἰνίγματι). An enigma is what a prophetic dream or vision is like, Paul. It is a riddle, which is why some translations read, "For now we see through a glass in obscurity (or in riddles)." Throughout ancient Greek, the word αίνιγμα is almost invariably translated into English as "
dark sayings,
riddles," hence the translations, "seeing through a glass darkly." In ancient times, glass was not nearly as refined as it is now. You could see through it a little, but the image was often very blurry and "dark," thus it took perception to discern what you were actually looking at through it. This parallels what it is like to interpret prophetic dreams and visions. They are like riddles, and take spiritual discernment to make out.
This is what the New Testament Christians were doing because Paul specifically used the words, "For now
WE see through a glass darkly (present tense)." He was saying that when they got to Heaven, they would see God face to face just like Moses did. But at the present time they were still seeing through a glass darkly, or literally "in enigmas." It means that the New Testament prophets were still operating in prophecy by interpreting prophetic dreams and visions just like the Old Testament prophets did.
The surrounding context of 1st Corinthians all the more bears this out. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul was urging them to seek the greater gifts, but then began showing them a better way to operate in them; in love for others. Our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ will remain even when we are finally in Heaven, when prophecy is no longer needed. But then he adds this, "[So] pursue love, and be zealous for spiritual gifts, but
rather that you may prophecy, for the one speaking in a tongues speaks not to men but to God... but the one prophesying speaks unto men for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:1-3). In other words, pray that God gives you the ability to prophecy so you can be of more benefit to others, and minister to them more in love.
Thus, Chapters 12 through 14 deal with the issue of operating in tongues and prophecy, and point out how prophecy is superior, being the greater gift, because it brings greater edification to the saints. But until we get to Heaven, Biblical prophecy has always been and will always be a practice that involves interpreting dreams and visions, because we still presently "see through a glass darkly," i.e. in enigmas; in riddles.
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Give me your thoughts on this. I would like to know what your response would be.