1 Corinthians 13:12

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.

a. NLT: Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

b. NIV: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

c. YLT: for we see now through a mirror obscurely, and then face to face; now I know in part, and then I shall fully know, as also I was known;

d. Amplified Bible: For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

e. Worrell Translation: for now we see through a mirror, obscurely; but then, face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall fully know, even as I also was fully known.

f. Wuest Translation: For we are seeing now by means of a mirror obscurely, but then, face to face. Noe I know only in a fragmentary fashion, but then I shall fully know even as also I was known.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: 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. “For now we see through a glass, darkly…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar, gar; a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. now [Strong: 737 arti, ar-tee; adverb from a derivative of 142 (compare 740) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.]

c. we see [Strong: 991 blepo blep'-o; a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.]

d. through [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah'; a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

e. a glass [Strong: 2072 esoptron es'-op-tron; from 1519 and a presumed derivative of 3700; a mirror (for looking into):--glass.]

f. [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

g. darkly [Strong: 135 ainigma ah'-ee-nig-ma; from a derivative of 136 (in its primary sense); an obscure saying ("enigma"), i.e. (abstractly) obscureness:--X darkly.] [Outline of biblical Usage: an obscure saying, enigma, riddle, an obscure thing] [Thayer: An obscure saying, and enigma.]

1). Here the definition gets extremely clear and we can understand the Apostle Paul is contrasting “then” and “now”. Two completely different time periods. The “glass” or “mirror” in other translations is of course is the word of God.

a). James 1:23, 24 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

b). We in this time period look at Christ in the Word of God. The man looking into the glass [mirror] is looking into the word of God.

2). Another witness to this truth is found in 2 Corinthians. Now in this present time when we look in the word to see Jesus, we see him in his glory.

a). 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2. “…but then face to face…”

a. but [Strong: 1161 de deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. then [Strong: 5119 tote tot'-eh; from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.]

c. face [Strong: 4383  prosopon pros'-o-pon; from 4314 and ops (the visage, from 3700); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.]

d. to [Strong: 4314 pros, pros; a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

e. face [Strong: 4383 prosopon pros'-o-pon; from 4314 and ops (the visage, from 3700); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.]

1). In relation to the first two sections of this verse, Paul is saying, Now we see Jesus in the word, but then face to face. When will we see him face to face? The answer is obvious. At his return!

a). 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3. “…now I know in part…”

a. now [Strong: 737 arti, ar-tee; adverb from a derivative of 142 (compare 740) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.]

b. I know [Strong: 1097 ginosko ghin-oce'-ko; a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.]

c. in [Strong: 1537 ek ek or ex ex; a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

d. part [Strong: 3313 meros mer'-os; from an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application):--behalf, course, coast, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort(-what).

1). “Now” I see Jesus through the word of God, obscurely which causes us to know only in part.  

4. “…but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

a. but [Strong: 1161 de deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. then [Strong: 5119  tote tot'-eh; from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.]

c. shall I know [Strong: 1921 epiginosko ep-ig-in-oce'-ko; from 1909 and 1097; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge:--(ac-, have, take)know(-ledge, well), perceive.]

d. even as [Strong: 2531 kathos kath-oce'; from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.]

e. also [Strong: 2532 kai, ka-hee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. I am know [Strong: 1921 epiginosko ep-ig-in-oce'-ko; from 1909 and 1097; to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge:--(ac-, have, take)know(-ledge, well), perceive.]

1). The references given for this phrase imply the meaning of “even as also I am known”, as being known of God. The verse by verse description of the contrast between now and then, shows clearly that the cessation of these gifts shall occur at the return of Christ and not before.