1 Corinthians 13:9

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

1 Corinthians 13:9, King James Version

1 Corinthians 13:9 in other translations

BSB	For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
WEB	For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
ASV	For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
YLT	for in part we know, and in part we prophecy;
DARBY	For we know in part, and we prophesy in part:
BBE	For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet's word gives only a part of what is true:
Webster	For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

What does 1 Corinthians 13:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 13:9-10

9-10. in part--partially and imperfectly. Compare a similar contrast to the "perfect man," "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ep 4:11-13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. For we know in part. Comp. 1Cor 12:27. This expression means, "only in part;" that is, imperfectly. Our knowledge here is imperfect and obscure. It may, therefore, all vanish in the eternal world amidst its superior brightness; and we should not regard that as of such vast value which is imperfect and obscure. Comp. 1Cor 8:2. This idea of the obscurity and imperfection of our knowledge, as compared with heaven, the apostle illustrates (1Cor 13:11) by comparing it with the knowledge which a child has, compared with that in maturer years; and (1Cor 13:12) by the knowledge which we have in looking through a glass--an imperfect medium--compared with that which we have in looking closely and directly at an object without any medium.

And we prophesy in part. This does not mean that we partly know the truths of religion, and partly conjecture or guess at them; or that we know only a part of them, and conjecture the remainder. But the apostle is showing the imperfection of the prophetic gift; and he observes, that there is the same imperfection which attends knowledge. It is only in part; it is imperfect; it is indistinct, compared with the full view of truth in heaven; it is obscure; and all that is imparted by that gift will soon become dim and lost, in the superior brightness and glory of the heavenly world. The argument is, that we ought not to seek so anxiously that which is so imperfect and obscure, and which must soon vanish away; but we should rather seek that love which is permanent, expanding, and eternal.

(a) "in part" 1Cor 8:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 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 the spirits of just men made perfect. 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; and separate spirits may wonder at the perfection of their own, having obtained so much more in consequence of being separated from the body, than they could conceive to be possible while in that body. When Sir Isaac Newton had made such astonishing discoveries in the laws of nature, far surpassing any thing that had been done by all his predecessors in science from the days of Solomon; one of our poets, considering the scantiness of human knowledge when compared with that which is possessed by the inhabitants of heaven, reduced his meditations on the subject to the following nervous and expressive epigram: - Superior beings, when of late they saw A mortal man explain all nature's law, Admired such wisdom in an earthly shape, And show'd our Newton as we show an ape. These fine lines are a paraphrase from a saying of Plato, from whom our poet borrows without acknowledging the debt. The words are these: ανθρωπον ὁ σοφωτατος προς θεον πιθηκος φανειται· "The wisest of mortals will appear but an ape in the estimation of God." Vid. Hipp. Maj. vol. xi. p. 21. Edit. Bipont. We prophesy in part - Even the sublimest prophets have been able to say but little of the heavenly state; and the best preachers have left the Spirit of God very much to supply. 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. For we have neither reason nor Scripture to suppose that God will give us that immediately from himself which he has promised to convey only by the use of means. Even this his blessing makes effectual; and, after all, his Spirit supplies much that man cannot teach. 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts of…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 →

1 Corinthians 13:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐκekInG1537

μέρουςmerouspartG3313

γὰρgarforG1063

γινώσκομενginōskomenwe knowG1097

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐκekinG1537

μέρουςmerouspartG3313

προφητεύομεν·prophēteuomenwe prophesy;G4395

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 13:9

Colossians 2:2-3
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Ephesians 3:18-19
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Psalms 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
1 Corinthians 13:12
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.
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Job 11:7-8
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
Romans 11:34
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Matthew 11:27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Proverbs 30:4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
Psalms 40:5
Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

12; 2:9; 8:2; Job 11:7,8; 26:14; Ps 40:5; 139:6; Pr 30:4; Mt 11:27
Ro 11:34; Eph 3:8,18,19; Col 2:2,3; 1Pe 1:10-12; 1Jo 3:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Corinthians 13:8
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.
1 Corinthians 13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque en parte conocemos, y en parte profetizamos;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car nous connaissons en partie, et nous prophétisons en partie;
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn wir erkennen stückweise, und wir prophezeien stückweise;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ex parte enim cognoscimus, et ex parte prophetamus.