Don't Eph.4:11 and 1Cor.13:8 contradict in regard to prophets and prophecy?

Consider the following question:

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11 that Christ "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers," as gifts to the Body of Christ. Yet in 1 Corinthians 13:8, he says, "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." Don’t these verses contradict each other in regard to prophecy?

At face value, these verses seem to conflict—how can prophets and prophecy be both a gift given to the Body and something that eventually ceases?

Well, the answer is quite simple. When we rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), we see they’re speaking to different contexts and purposes within God’s unfolding plan.

Ephesians 4:11 – Gifts for the Edifying of the Body

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

This verse describes gifts Christ gave to the Body of Christ after His ascension (Eph. 4:8–12). These roles were given to establish and edify the Church in its early formation. Apostles and prophets, in particular, were foundational (Eph. 2:20), providing revelation before the full canon of Scripture was complete.

1 Corinthians 13:8 – The Fading of Sign Gifts

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease...”

Here, Paul is speaking of temporary sign gifts—prophecy, tongues, and knowledge—that were necessary during the transitional period of the early Church. These were partial and would “vanish away” when “that which is perfect is come” (1 Cor. 13:10). We should understand that “that which is perfect” refers to the completed revelation of Scripture, not Christ’s return. Once the full counsel of God was revealed through Paul’s epistles and the rest of Scripture, the need for sign gifts ceased.

How They Fit Together by Right Division

• Ephesians 4:11 reflects the initial provision of gifted men to build up the Body.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8 anticipates the passing away of certain gifts once their purpose was fulfilled.

So, they’re not contradictory—they’re sequential. One describes the giving, the other the fading over a period of time.

As a basic analogy, think of scaffolding used to construct a building. It’s essential during the building phase, but once the structure is complete, the scaffolding is removed. Likewise, apostles, prophets, and sign gifts were scaffolding for the early Church. Today, we are built up by the written Word, not new revelation or signs.