Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
now—in our present state.
see—an appropriate expression, in connection with the "prophets" of seers (I Samuel 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), compared with the perfect idea we have of it by seeing itself directly.
darkly—literally, "in enigma." As a "mirror" conveys an image to the eye, so an "enigma" to the ear. But neither "eye nor ear" can fully represent (though the believer's soul gets a small revelation now of) "the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9). Paul alludes to Numbers 12:8, "not in dark speeches"; the Septuagint, "not in enigmas." Compared with the visions and dreams vouchsafed to other prophets, God's communications with Moses were "not in enigmas." But compared with the intuitive and direct vision of God hereafter, even the revealed word now is "a dark discourse," or a shadowing forth by enigma of God's reflected likeness. Compare II Peter 1:19, where the "light" or candle in a dark place stands in contrast with the "day" dawning. God's word is called a glass or mirror also in II Corinthians 3:18.
then—"when that which is perfect is come" (I Corinthians 13:10).
face to face—not merely "mouth to mouth" (Numbers 12:8). Genesis 32:30 was a type (John 1:50-51).
know . . . known—rather as Greek, "fully know . . . fully known." Now we are known by, rather than know, God (I Corinthians 8:3; Galatians 4:9).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 13:12:
Job 26:14
Job 36:26
Song of Solomon 2:9
Song of Solomon 2:17
Song of Solomon 4:6
Isaiah 52:8
1 Corinthians 8:3
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 12:31
1 Corinthians 13:1
2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Corinthians 5:7
2 Corinthians 6:9
Galatians 5:22
Ephesians 1:17
Ephesians 3:10
Philippians 3:12
Colossians 3:14
1 Timothy 2:4
1 Timothy 6:16
Hebrews 1:1
Revelation 7:15
Revelation 22:4
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