"We Know in Part": A Humble Correction to Dogmatic Certainty

What does "in part" mean? 

The Greek word is ἐκ μέρους (ek merous), which means "partially," "imperfectly," or "in fragments." Paul is comparing our current, earthly knowledge to a puzzle with most of the pieces missing. We have genuine knowledge and genuine prophecy, but it is:

1. Incomplete: We do not possess the full scope of divine knowledge. Our understanding is finite and limited by our human nature, culture, and historical context.
2. Imperfect: The knowledge itself, even when true, is not yet in its final, perfected form. It is like seeing a dim reflection in a ancient bronze mirror (1 Cor. 13:12), rather than seeing "face to face."
3. Provisional: This partial knowledge is temporary. It is a necessity for our time on earth but will be rendered obsolete when "the perfect" comes.

Applying "We Know in Part" to the Claim of a "Perfect" Bible

The claim that we possess a "perfect" Textus Receptus (TR) or a "perfect" King James Version (KJV) runs into the sobering reality of 1 Corinthians 13:9. 

To claim the TR is "perfect" is to claim that 16th-century scholars, with their limited manuscript evidence, achieved a level of textual certainty that transcends the "partial" nature of human knowledge Paul describes. It places a human work (as excellent as it is) on the level of divine perfection reserved for the original autographs and for God Himself.

Conclusion

The declaration "we know in part" is a divine check on human pride. It applies to theologians, pastors, and every believer.

When a church or group claims to have exclusive possession of the "perfect" Bible in the form of the TR or KJV, they are, perhaps unintentionally, violating the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13. They are claiming a level of final, exhaustive knowledge that Paul reserves for eternity. This can lead to the very arrogance and division that Paul was correcting in Corinth.

A truly high view of Scripture acknowledges two things simultaneously:

God's Word is perfect, powerful, and eternally true.

Our grasp of it, through textual transmission, translation, and interpretation, is and will always be "in part" until we see Christ face to face.

Therefore, we hold our Bibles with deep reverence and confidence, while simultaneously holding our interpretations with humility and grace, always ready to learn and be corrected by the very Word we seek to defend. We have everything we need for life and godliness in Scripture, but we do not know everything about Scripture itself.