When what is perfect comes...
Through my studies, I find that "that which is perfect" to come, is the completion of scripture which is to say the bible.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, it was estimated to be somewhere in the 50's AD. The last apostle John, completed the scriptures (last book being Revelation) around early 90's AD.
Also, as I observe the world today, I don't see anyone who can speak a language automatically without any study into it and get it perfect and fluent. I also do not see anyone who can heal someone by the touch of their hand. And furthermore, I dont see any apostles alive today that can pass on these gifts.
Because, in all of the new testament I only see two cases where the Holy Spirit gave people gifts without an apostle laying hands on them- Acts 2:1-5 and Acts 10:44-46. The rest of the time, it was an apostle laying on of hands to spread out gifts, ie Acts 8:14-18.
Ephesians 4 also had something to say about gifts, and that Paul once again hinted at them being temporary.
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Since scripture is the word of God, it would thereby be perfect, regardless of it being a simple human that wrote it. We know in scripture that the Holy Spirit moved these people and guided them in all things to say/write. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Even more, we know that gifts/miracles were only to "confirm" the word. Since the bible is complete and everything that needed to be done and said is finished, there is no more need for miracles/gifts. Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 2:11-12
Since the completion of Scripture, there hasn't been not one supernatural deed done. I believe people have watered down the words supernatural and miracle. Supernatural and miracles are things done that go against the normal process of nature.
Example:
Babies are not miracles. It was a blessing given to all way back in Genesis. They all happen by a natural process. Jesus's birth was a miracle. A natural process was stopped and the supernatural happened.
A mans cancer went into remission after he sought treatment. Not a miracle. Nothing interrupted the natural processes.
However, I would agree that God's "providence" is involved. That is different than a miracle or supernatural though. Providence from God would be more like this example:
A baby is born, grows up to desire being a doctor, studies hard, becomes a doctor. Situations arise that this doctor then moves to area and hospital facility were another person just so happens to need a life threatening surgery. Though the doctor was originally scheduled for day shifts, they were assigned night shifts recently. It just so happened that the patient came in at night, and need this surgery pronto. Well, here is this doctor who comes in to successfully save this person.
That is providence. A lot different than a miracle/supernatural. Nothing interrupted the natural process of things.
Long story short though (in conclusion), 1 Corinthian 13 is not only a chapter about love being the greatest among all gifts, it also alludes to the scriptures completion and the eventual vanishing away of "miracle gifts" that create supernatural processes.
Last sample:
When "THAT" which is perfect comes...."
the word "THAT"
Is Jesus a "THAT"?
or is "THAT" applied to scripture (inanimate object)? [Revelation was complete 30 years later]