First Corinthians 13:9-13
‘Though I give my body to be burned…,when that which is perfect has come — then that which is in part shall be done away!… Now we see through a puzzle, darkly! But then, face to face! Now I know in part! But then I shall know, even as I also am known!’ First Corinthians 13:3,9-12.
Calvin comments: “‘If I give my body (to be burned)’… Paul is speaking about martyrdom here…, where a man has no hesitation about pouring out his life for his witness to the Gospel…. Nero…, in his madness…, resorting to burning….
“Prophecies pass away. Tongues cease. Knowledge comes to an end…. Love stands…high above them all, because it survives — after they have ceased to exist… What is to stand in the way of the saints now enjoying their peace and rest, from not making use of lives in the duties they now have to discharge?… Supposing I were to say that…intercession had been entrusted only to the
living…on their pilgrimage through this world, and for that reason does not involve the dead?!…
“Since learning, knowledge of languages, and similar gifts serve the needs of this life — it does not seem to me that they will remain in existence when that time comes…. (‘When that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part shall be done away.’)
“One day, our imperfection will come to an end…. ‘We know in part’…, precisely because we are imperfect…. ‘In part — means that we are not yet made perfect…. We are required to make progress throughout our life…, but we must realize…that the gifts in question are only temporary…. The benefit of them is only effective, so long as we are moving on to the goal — by making progress every day….
“‘When that which is perfect has come, (then that which is in part shall be done away)’… When we have reached the winning-post, then the things that helped us on the course will be finished with…. When will that perfection come? It begins, indeed, at death….
‘For now we see in a mirror’…. We do not yet enjoy the unclouded vision…. We have not yet scaled such heights…. But when we leave the world behind and depart to Him, faith will look upon Him…at close quarters….
“Even if fullness of vision will be delayed until the day of Christ, we will begin to have a closer view of God as soon as we die. Our souls will then be set free from our bodies.”
Calvin also says in his Institutes III:2:13,20 that when Paul “says that ‘that which is in part, shall be done away’ (First Corinthians 13:10)…; we pass from death unto life…. When he says…’Now we see through a glass darkly’ (First Corinthians 13:12), he intimates how very minute a portion of…wisdom is given to us in the present life.”
I, too, may give my body to be burned! But one day I shall know, even as I am known!
