QUESTION: How are we to understand the word “now” in I Corinthians 13:12 and how are we to understand the word “now” in I Corinthians 13:13? Are they to be understood as referring to different periods?

ANSWER: I believe the context demands different understandings of the usage of the word “now” in the two subject verses. “Now” in verse 12 (in contradistinction to “then”) has to refer to that period of time when Paul wrote, before the completed Word of God. “Now” in verse 13 must be taken to mean “in this present life.” The word “abideth” means “remains” and stands in contradistinction to that which is passing away. Therefore, the word “now” (verse 13) would include the “now” time of verse 12, as well as all future time! In other words, faith, hope, and love, were to be prevalent in the life of Christians during that time and would be all that “remained” for all future time in light of the fact thatthe other items mentioned were to cease!