“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV
Reflection: when do you fully understand anything?
Have you ever run into someone who thinks they know it all? Especially, they seem to know more than you on any topic, responding with either “I know” to whatever you say, or come with some “counter argument” to your knowledge. They are very difficult to talk with, because the focus is on them and their knowledge. Perhaps just as difficult, are those who basically have “settled” on a specific topic. They are stuck on their knowledge, their understanding, regardless of what new information you bring to them. If you remember during the pandemic, a new term was circulated, called “settled science”. What was the purpose of coining and spreading this phrase? To stop people from asking questions. To not think for themselves. Turns out, the science wasn’t settled at all. Actually, science is never “settled”. It was all a web of lies for a larger agenda. But, think about it, aren’t we trained to accept knowledge given by some authority, accept history, accept science, and so on?
One of the most self-limiting things we can ever do to ourselves is to get to a point where we say to ourselves “I get it”, or “I understand”. Why? Because at that very moment we have accepted that our understanding is correct and complete, and therefore we have nothing more to learn on that particular topic. We are sort of closing the door to new information, new ideas, new knowledge. It is the opposite of “critical thinking”. And, if we later find irrefutable evidence that what we have believed is wrong, our “world” can feel as if it is crumbling, falling apart. It can be very difficult to accept that we were wrong. So what does this have to do with the “love chapter”, you might ask?
Paul gives us multiple metaphors to explain that our current understanding of God will change, even our spiritual gifts will pass away. Now, why is that? And why was that important for Paul to tell this to the church in Corinth, and to us today? There are at least two dimensions for us to consider here. First, it keeps us humble and continually learning. That we NEVER think we have God “figured out”. One of the metaphors should be easy to relate to, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV. We understand the point of growth and maturity, of wisdom going from being a child to an adult. And in our Christian journey, we also mature, go from “milk to solid food”, as Paul says. And one of the signs of this maturity is how much Christ has transformed us. Remember the two lists from yesterday?
The second dimension to consider is the end-point, when we “finally get it”. I mean fully understand. This will not happen as long as we are in this body, this flesh. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12 ESV. Only when we are in the presence of the Lord, see him face to face, look into perfect love, then our “eyes” will be fully opened. The comparison Paul uses here of the level of knowledge and understanding we will then have is very interesting. He says it will be as complete “as I have been fully known.” As complete as God already knows each of us, including the paradox of God’s love for us despite knowing us fully.
Paul started this section with “Love never ends.” It is the only thing we can build on, that will remain. Our rock. Love is eternal, because God is eternal.