1 Corinthians 13:12 BSB

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a dim 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.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

KJV

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.

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Commentary

2 voices

Basil of Caesarea

Commentary (church-history corpus) (379)

But, before I take up the matter itself of the profession of faith, the following warning should be given: It is impossible to express in one word or one concept, or to grasp with the mind at all, the majesty and glory of God, which is unutterable and incomprehensible, and the Holy Scripture, although for the most part employing words in current use, speaks obscurely 'as through a glass (1 Cor 13.12),' even to the clean of heart. They have been promised to those who are accounted worthy in the life to come.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Now we see - Even the things that surround us. But by means of a glass - Or mirror, which reflects only their imperfect forms, in a dim, faint, obscure manner; so that our thoughts about them are puzzling and intricate, and everything is a kind of riddle to us.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

Now we see through a glass, darkly - Δι’ εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι. Of these words some literal explanation is necessary. The word εσοπτρον which we translate a glass, literally signifies a mirror or reflector, from εις, into, and οπτομαι, I look; and among the ancients mirrors were certainly made of fine polished metal. The word here may signify any thing by which the image of a person is reflected, as in our looking, or look in glass. The word is not used for a glass to look through; nor would such an image have suited with the apostle’s design.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

22 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
βλέπομεν	blepomen	We see	G991 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
ἄρτι	arti	presently	G737 →
δι᾽	di᾽	through	G1223 →
ἐσόπτρου	esoptrou	a glass	G2072 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
αἰνίγματι,	ainigmati	obscurity,	G135 →
τότε	tote	then	G5119 →
δὲ	de	however	G1161 →
πρόσωπον	prosōpon	face	G4383 →
πρὸς	pros	to	G4314 →
πρόσωπον·	prosōpon	face;	G4383 →
ἄρτι	arti	presently	G737 →
γινώσκω	ginōskō	I know	G1097 →
ἐκ	ek	in	G1537 →
μέρους,	merous	part,	G3313 →
τότε	tote	then	G5119 →
δὲ	de	however	G1161 →
ἐπιγνώσομαι	epignōsomai	I will know fully	G1921 →
καθὼς	kathōs	even as	G2531 →
καὶ	kai	also	G2532 →
ἐπεγνώσθην.¶	epegnōsthēn	I have been fully known.	G1921 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of…
- Ephesians 4:22–24
  to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
- Romans 12:2
  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of…
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Colossians 3:10
  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Through
1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as…
leads to
- Philippians 3:21
  who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
- Colossians 3:4
  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Through
Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
leads to
- 1 Timothy 6:11–12
  But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.