Thoughts on I Corinthians 13 - Have Tongues Ceased?

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Evidently the potential was there that a believer could speak with the tongues of men and of angels, just as the potential was there that a believer could prophecy, have faith, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, or give his body to be burned.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

The time to which Paul referred here could not have been the time when Apostolic literature was canonized because knowledge didn't vanish away with that event - rather, it was grouped-together into the New Testament.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When knowledge is no longer imperfect. When prophesying is no longer needed.

This can't refer to the time when the apostolic writings were canonized - because that event brought no extra knowledge - it merely canonized existing knowledge.

If that event constituted "that which is perfect" then prophesying should have ceased - but the New Testament indicates the existence of prophecy right up until the time of the end (Revelation "thou must prophesy..."; also the two witnesses).

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 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 canonization of New Testament literature did not cause Paul to see face to face, nor any believer to see face to face. Nor did it cause Paul nor any believer to know even as also He was known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith is still here. Hope is still here. Charity is still here. Therefore that which is perfect has not come yet. Therefore neither have tongues ceased.

"That which is perfect" refers to the Coming of the Lord, or to being in the presence of the Lord.