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.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writing to the Corinthian church, mid-argument that spiritual gifts are temporary while love is permanent. The verse bridges the childhood-to-maturity contrast (v. 11) and the faith-hope-love triad (v. 13).

The words — Ἀινίγμα (ainigma) carries the verse: the supplied gloss is "obscurity," a state of being hidden or riddled rather than merely unclear. The mirror (ἐσόπτρου, esoptrou) is the medium through which that obscurity is seen.

The thread — 1 Corinthians 13:9 states the "know in part" premise this verse develops. 1 John 3:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 echo the same trajectory: present partiality giving way to unveiled fullness.

Why it lands — It names a limit: your current understanding is a reflection, not the thing itself. The "then" is not optional or vague; it is the stated endpoint that makes the "now" a stage, not a final word.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

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 He is.
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.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
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.
Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
James 1:23 For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But the one who loves God is known by God.