Monday, March 1, 2021

1 CORINTHIANS 13 SERIES - Verse 9

 Commentary of Charles Spurgeon, Adam Clarke & Matthew Henry
 
 For we know in part, 
and we prophesy in part.
Vs.9 
 
He hints that these gifts are adapted only to a state of imperfection: We know in part, and we prophesy in part,......
 
For we know in part - We have here but little knowledge even of earthly, and much less of heavenly, things.  
He that knows most knows little in comparison of what is known by angels, .... And as we know so very little, how deficient must we be if we have not much love! Angels may wonder at the imperfection of our knowledge;

We prophesy in part - Even the sublimest prophets have been able to say but little of the heavenly state; 
And had we no more religious knowledge than we can derive from men and books, and had we no farther instruction in the knowledge of God and ourselves than we derive from preaching, our religious experience would be low indeed. Yet it is our duty to acquire all the knowledge we possibly can; and as preaching is the ordinary means by which God is pleased to instruct and convert the soul, we should diligently and thankfully use it. 
Every preacher should take care to inculcate this on the hearts of his hearers. 
When you have learned all you can from your ministers, remember you have much to learn from God; and for this you should diligently wait on Him 
---by the reading of His word
---and by incessant prayer.
 
Even the knowledge they had by inspiration was but in part. 
How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was heard even by apostles and inspired men!