1 Corinthians 13:8,9

The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts were needed to aid in the growth and development of the early church. The need for those gifts came to an end when God's will was completely revealed. In contrast, love is always a part of the church and its development. The prophecies of which the apostle spoke would be the inspired speaking of God's message (1 Corinthians 14:3). This comes from the Greek word Katargeo, which means they would be abolished. Roy H. Lanier, Sr. says this is the same word used in Ephesians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14 (destroy); and 2 Corinthians 3:11. Thus, one could learn from such speaking (the written record of), but the continued use of Spirit guided speaking would be brought to an end by God's decree. In the same way, Paul said the Spirit given knowledge would be abolished (1 Corinthians 12:8).

Concerning tongues, Paul used the Greek word pauo. This would usually denote a willing cessation in contrast to a forced end. Tongues were used to confirm the fact that the revealed message was from God. When men stopped delivering Spirit inspired messages, as Paul has said they would do at God's command; then the use of tongues would stop of itself, or naturally. Remember that Jesus promised the apostles that the Spirit would guide them into "all truth" (John 16:13). Thus, we could safely say the inspired message would cease to be delivered at least by the time of the death of the last apostle (Judges 1:3). These things were temporary, lasting only until the whole faith was delivered to man (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).