We live in a time when the perfected and complete Word of God has been given to us. This time is special because, thanks to many resources, we can still come very close to the words the apostles recorded in the original language, even without knowledge of the original languages.
Contrast
If we compare this with the time when Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, the contrast is stark. They had the Tanakh, our Old Testament, and probably a few other Scriptures. In addition, they had to make do with piecemeal manifestations of God’s Spirit: the spiritual gifts. The believers were in the position of a child, a minor, who did not yet have access to all the words and all the knowledge.
Ephesians 4
14 that we should no longer be infants, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, in the wiles of men, in cunning craftiness, in methods of error.
Errors
It is often said that the gifts only cease “when we are in heaven.” This misunderstanding arises from the use of the word “perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10, or from the same Greek word that is rendered “complete” in some translations of Ephesians 4:13. In both cases, however, it refers to maturity. The context makes this clear: it is the contrast between child and adult.
On Earth
Ephesians 4:14 also makes it clear that the phase of maturity that would dawn would take place on earth. Through the fullness of God’s word, we would no longer be infants and tossed to and fro by the winds of doctrine. This refers to our life on earth in an environment of all kinds of hype, teachings, craftiness, lies, and error. These words, therefore, cannot be applied to our future position in heaven.
15 But those who speak truthfully in love will grow up into Him, the All, who is the Head, Christ.
In the unity of His complete and perfect Word and the realization of His love, we find each other and grow in Him, our Head and All: Christ!