1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Is 1 Corinthians 13:8 referring to the completion of scripture or something else? I believe that the Bible teaches that it is referring to the completion of scripture. However, some teach that it is referring to either the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, or when the believer dies and goes to heaven.

Here is why I believe it is referring to the completion of scripture.....

1 Corinthians 13:

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

There is our verse. Prophecies, tongues, and supernatural giving of knowledge would cease according to Paul. The issue is when would this occur.

[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Paul states that the supernatural giving of knowledge and prophecies were only PARTIAL revelations, not complete. 
 

[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

In contrast to the partial revelations of tongues and prophecy, Paul states that something PERFECT will come. When that perfect/complete revelation comes, then the partial revelations of tongues and prophecies will be done away. Now we must conclude what the revelation that is "perfect" is. Is it the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or when the believer gets to heaven? Or is it the complete scriptures? The context is about having a PERFECTION of what Paul currently only had in PART. That can only be applied to the word of God. Paul did not partially have the Second Coming of Christ waiting to have the complete event. Nor did he partially have the millennial kingdom waiting for a complete one. The context is receiving WORDS from God through tongues and prophecies.   

[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with the SCRIPTURES, not the Second Coming or Millennium. That is how Paul uses the phrases in the very next chapter.....

1 Corinthians 14:
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Knowing the word of God is what makes you a "man" rather than a "child"!

2 Timothy 3:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

1 Corinthians 3:
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1 Peter 2:
[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hebrews 5:
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.



This further proves the point. Paul compares having partial revelations (tongues/prophecies) to looking into a glass darkly. But when the perfect revelation comes (the word of God), that will be like looking into the glass clearly, it will no longer be dark. Then he will be able to see himself (reflection) clearly. James talks about the word of God in the same way using a mirror as an example.

James 1:
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
[22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The gifts of giving someone the word of God through tongues (human languages), prophecies, and visions ceased when God gave man the last book of the Bible.