Misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 and the Promotion of “Perfect Bible” Ideology

Misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 and the Promotion of “Perfect Bible” Ideology

Jeffrey Khoo argues that “the perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to a perfect, finalized Bible in the Textus Receptus (TR) and King James Version (KJV) has built a doctrine that is both biblically unfounded and historically mistaken. Let us carefully examine his claims and show why they are false teachings.

Jeffrey Khoo explained the meaning of "the perfect" - ..."It refers to the completed canon. This view is favoured because the immediate context has to do with revelation. As already stated, prophecies, tongues, and knowledge are revelatory gifts. Further, the word “mirror” is used only one other time in the NT, in Jas 1:22-25, with reference to the “perfect law of liberty,” ie, the Word of God. The phrase “face to face” connotes direct revelation. God spoke to Moses “mouth to mouth” in the sense that God revealed His Word to him clearly, and directly (Num 12:6-8)." 

Regarding "Tongues". Jeffrey Khoo wrote, "The text reads, “whether there be tongues, they shall cease.” The word used for cessation here is different from the above. It is the verb pauo, “to stop.” It is not written in the passive, but in the middle voice, which indicates that the gift of tongues-speaking will cease by itself. It will naturally fade away in the course of time when it has served its purpose."

1. Misinterpretation of “the perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10

Paul writes: “But when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Cor. 13:10).

The Context: Paul is speaking about spiritual gifts—prophecy, tongues, and knowledge (vv. 8–9). He explains that these gifts are temporary and partial, meant to build up the church until something greater replaces them.

The Meaning: “The perfect” (τὸ τέλειον) does not mean a perfect book or the complete canon, but the state of completeness when we see Christ face-to-face (v. 12). Paul compares our current knowledge to looking into a dim mirror, but when Christ returns, we will know fully.

The Error: To say “the perfect” is the canon of Scripture is to wrench the text out of context. The passage points to the return of Christ and the fullness of His kingdom, not to a particular manuscript tradition or translation.

Therefore, claiming that Paul was prophesying the arrival of the TR or the KJV is a distortion of Scripture.

2. False claim of a “perfect Bible” in the TR/KJV

Jeffrey Khoo insists his church has a “perfect Bible” in the TR underlying the KJV. This belief is flawed for several reasons:

Textual History: The TR was a Greek text compiled in the 16th century by Erasmus, using a handful of late manuscripts. He even back-translated parts of Revelation from Latin into Greek because he lacked manuscripts. To call this text “perfect” is historically inaccurate.

Translation Reality: The KJV, while a monumental and beautiful translation, is still a translation—produced by fallible men in 1611. The translators themselves admitted in their preface that they did not claim perfection but hoped to provide a faithful rendering that could be revised if needed.

God’s Word in Many Tongues: God never limited His Word to one English version or one textual tradition. The gospel spread long before 1611 in Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and many other translations. To insist on one version as “perfect” denies the global and multilingual mission of the Church.

3. The Error of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) and “Perfect TR”

Preservation Misunderstood: Scripture teaches God preserves His Word (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8), but it does not teach that one printed edition or translation is preserved without error. Preservation is seen in the thousands of manuscripts and faithful translations God has provided, not in one exclusive line of text.

The TR is not uniform: There are multiple editions of the TR (Erasmus, Stephanus, Beza, Elzevir). Which one is “perfect”? KJV-only teachers cannot agree, because there is no such thing as the perfect TR.

VPP is a modern invention: The Reformers and the post-Reformation orthodox did not teach that God perfectly preserved the Bible in one printed edition. They affirmed preservation in the manuscript tradition as a whole.

Thus, VPP and “perfect TR” are not historic doctrines of the Church, but modern distortions born out of reactionary KJV-onlyism.

4. The Sin of Attacking Other Translations (NIV, ESV, etc.)

To condemn believers who use translations like the NIV or ESV is to create unnecessary division in the body of Christ.

These translations are the fruit of faithful scholarship and have been used by millions to grow in Christ. To call them corrupt is slander against the wider Church of God.

Paul warns against quarrels over words (2 Tim. 2:14). Elevating one English translation above others is precisely the kind of divisive spirit Scripture condemns.

5. Dangerous Consequences of This False Teaching

If one believes his church alone has the “perfect Bible,” it leads to pride, isolation, and false assurance:

Pride: Believing only your church has the “true Word” makes you despise other Christians who love Christ but use different translations.

False Assurance: This belief shifts confidence from Christ the Living Word to a particular printed edition, creating a form of idolatry.

Division: Instead of uniting under Christ, the body of Christ is fractured by man-made claims of perfection.

Correction: What Scripture Really Teaches

The Word is sufficient: All faithful translations convey the gospel clearly and sufficiently for salvation (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

The perfect is Christ: 1 Corinthians 13 points us forward to His return, when all partial knowledge will give way to perfect sight of His glory.

Preservation is providential: God has preserved His Word through the vast manuscript tradition and the faithful work of translators in many languages. This ensures His Word is available, reliable, and trustworthy—not locked in one edition or version.

Conclusion

Jeffrey Khoo is wrong to claim that “the perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to the KJV or the TR. He is wrong to declare that his church alone possesses the “perfect Bible.” He is wrong to promote Verbal Plenary Preservation as if God promised perfection in one printed text. And he is wrong to attack other faithful translations that God is using around the world.

We must cling not to a man-made ideology of a “perfect Bible in our hands,” but to Christ Himself, the Living Word, who has given us His written Word in many faithful forms. Our hope is not in a 17th-century translation, but in the risen Savior who will return and bring us into perfect knowledge of Him.