Amplified Bible
1 Corinthians 13:12
12For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].
1 Corinthians 13:12 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Context of 1 Corinthians 13:12
10But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 13And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 131 Corinthians 13:12 word by word
βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι᾽ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- nowἄρτιarti · nowG737
- we seeβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
- throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- a glassἔσοπτρονesoptron · mirrorG2072
- ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- darklyαἴνιγμαainigma · obscure thingG135
- butδέde · thenG1161
- thenτότεtote · thenG5119
- faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- I knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- inἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- partμέροςmeros · partG3313
- shall I knowἐπιγινώσκωepiginōskō · to come to knowG1921
- even asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 13:12
- 2 Corinthians 3:18And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
- Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.
- James 1:23For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror;
- Judges 14:12Then Samson said to them, “Let me now ask you a riddle; if you can tell me what it is within the seven days of the feast, and solve it, then I will give you thirty linen tunics (undergarments) and thirty changes of [outer] clothing.
- Ezekiel 17:2“Son of man, ask a riddle and tell a parable to the house of Israel,
- Exodus 33:11And so the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his attendant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
- Numbers 12:8With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly], Clearly and openly and not in riddles; And he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
- Matthew 5:8“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
- Matthew 18:10“See that you do not despise or think less of one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven [are in the presence of and] continually look upon the face of My Father who is in heaven.
- Romans 8:18For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
- 1 John 3:2Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory].
- Revelation 22:4they will [be privileged to] see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
- 1 Corinthians 13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete].
- John 10:15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 13:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Now we see through a glass, darkly - ' . Of these words some literal explanation is necessary. The word which we translate a glass, literally signifies a mirror or reflector, from , into, and , 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For now we see through a glass - Paul here makes use of another illustration to show the imperfection of our knowledge here. Compared with what it will be in the future world, it is like the imperfect view of an object which we have in looking through an obscure and opaque medium compared with the view which we have when we look at it “face to face.” The word “glass” here ( ̓ esoptron) means properly a mirror, a looking-glass. The mirrors of the ancients…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 8-13 Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts of this world, when we come to…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The difference between now and the future is between this age and the coming age. Now, we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror. In Paul's time, mirrors were usually made of polished bronze, so the view was unclear. Our perception in this life is limited, and our understanding is incomplete. Then, when the end comes and Christ establishes his eternal kingdom, we will see everything clearly. At that time, the spiritual gifts that…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. now--in our present state. see--an appropriate expression, in connection with the "prophets" of seers (1Sa 9:9). through a glass--that is, in a mirror; the reflection seeming to the eye to be behind the mirror, so that we see it through the mirror. Ancient mirrors were made of polished brass or other metals. The contrast is between the inadequate knowledge of an object gained by seeing it reflected in a dim mirror (such as ancient mirrors were)…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 13:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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