Let's carefully examine the two verses in their biblical context to clarify the meaning of "perfect" and address the misunderstanding.
Matthew 5:48 — "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
- Here, Jesus calls His followers
to be "perfect" as God is perfect.
- The word "perfect" in
this context means to be complete in love and moral integrity, reflecting
God's character.
- It is a call to maturity and
holiness in the way believers live, not a claim that humans have already
reached divine perfection.
- This verse is about ethical and
spiritual growth, not about possessing a perfect text or scripture.
1 Corinthians 13:10 — "But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done
away."
- The phrase "that which is
perfect" refers to the full, complete knowledge and experience of God
that will come in the future.
- Paul contrasts "the
perfect" with "that which is partial," meaning the partial
knowledge and spiritual gifts believers have now.
- The "perfect" is
associated with the return of Jesus Christ and the fullness of God's
revelation and presence.
- This verse does not say that the
Bible itself is the "perfect" that has come; rather, it points
to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ's return and the complete knowledge
of God then.
Refuting the misunderstanding:
- The claim that "the perfect
Bible" has come, based on 1 Corinthians 13:10, is a misunderstanding
of the text.
- The "perfect" is not a
physical book but the complete and final revelation and experience of God,
which will be fully realized when Jesus returns.
- Matthew 5:48 calls believers to
strive for spiritual maturity, not to claim they are already perfect or
that possessing a Bible means perfection.
- The Bible itself is a trustworthy
and inspired text, but it is a means to grow in faith and knowledge, not
the "perfect" that ends all partial things.
Summary:
|
Verse |
Meaning
of "Perfect" |
Correct
Understanding |
Misunderstanding
to Avoid |
|
Matthew
5:48 |
Moral
and spiritual maturity in God's love |
Call
to grow in holiness |
Claiming
personal or textual perfection now |
|
1
Corinthians 13:10 |
Complete
knowledge and experience of God at Christ's return |
Future
fulfillment in Christ, not a book |
Claiming
the Bible itself is the "perfect" that has come |
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