The Culpit

The Core Misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 13:10 and “The Perfect”

At the heart of much confusion and division within Bible-Presbyterian Church (BPC) today lies a misinterpretation of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:10: “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

Jeffrey Khoo, Quek Suan Yew and Prabhudas Kishy have wrongly claimed that “the perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible—specifically the Textus Receptus (TR) and its translation in the King James Version (KJV). From this teaching has sprung a web of errors: the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation in a single text form, the claim of a “Perfect TR,” KJV-only exclusivism, and ultimately the judgment of all other translations as corrupt or inferior. These errors have not only caused unnecessary division within the body of Christ, but in some cases have led to denominational fracture, lawsuits in civil courts, pride, ignorance, and a loss of the gospel’s humble spirit.

The True Meaning of “The Perfect”

To understand Paul’s words, we must read them in their context. In 1 Corinthians 12–14, Paul is addressing the use of spiritual gifts within the church, with special concern for love as the greatest gift. Chapter 13 contrasts temporary gifts (prophecy, tongues, knowledge) with love, which “never fails” (v. 8). Paul explains that certain gifts were partial and temporary, suited for the church’s present state of immaturity. But a time would come when these temporary aids would no longer be needed.

In verse 12, Paul clarifies what he means: “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.”

The phrase “face to face” unmistakably refers not to the arrival of a book, but to the consummation of God’s work when believers see Christ Himself in glory. It is eschatological—pointing to the second coming of Christ and the perfection of the age to come. When Christ returns, faith will become sight, hope will be fulfilled, and love will remain as the eternal bond of God’s people with Him.

Therefore, “the perfect” is not the Bible, not the TR, not the KJV, but the perfection of the believer’s knowledge and fellowship with Christ at His return.

The Damage of Misinterpretation

By equating “the perfect” with the Bible, BPC’s pulpit has introduced a distorted theology that has borne bitter fruit:

Cessationism misapplied: Some argue that tongues and prophecy ceased with the completion of Scripture, forcing Paul’s words to fit a view foreign to the text. While Scripture is indeed complete and sufficient, Paul’s argument here does not rest upon the canon but upon the future return of Christ.

KJV-only exclusivism: The claim of a “perfect Bible” in one translation creates an idol out of a version, elevating human tradition over the living Word of God in its many faithful witnesses.

Division and lawsuits: Instead of pursuing love—which Paul names as the “more excellent way”—BPC churches have split, leaders have sued one another in civil courts, and pride has replaced humility. All of this is the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit.

Pride and ignorance: By insisting that their group alone has the “perfect Bible,” some have exalted themselves while despising others who use reliable modern translations. This fosters arrogance rather than unity in the truth.

Biblical Correction

The Scripture itself provides the rebuke:

Paul says plainly: “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (v. 12). This is not the language of reading a text, but of seeing a person—Christ Himself (cf. 1 John 3:2).

Nowhere in Scripture is the “perfect” equated with the completion of the Bible. Rather, the Bible testifies of Christ (John 5:39) and points us to Him who is our perfection.

The unity of the church is grounded not in one translation, but in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:5–6).

Lawsuits among believers are condemned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:1–8, yet the fruit of this teaching has driven some churches into exactly what Paul warns against.

A Call to the Right Direction

Dear brothers and sisters, the time has come to lay aside false teaching and return to the simplicity of Christ. The church does not possess perfection in a book printed by men, but awaits perfection in the day of Christ’s appearing. Until then, we walk by faith, not by sight, and above all we pursue love, which is greater than all gifts.

To the teacher who has misled the flock: repent of this error. You have made Scripture serve an agenda foreign to its purpose, and in doing so you have wounded the body of Christ. To the denomination of BPC: do not build our identity upon a translation, but upon Christ the living Word. The Bible is sufficient, faithful, and preserved in the witness of many manuscripts and translations, but perfection belongs to Christ alone.

Paul closes 1 Corinthians 13 not with a call to defend a text, but with these words: “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Let us then make love—not pride, not exclusivism, not lawsuits—the hallmark of our testimony to the world.