The Nugget:
1Co 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. (KJV)
1Co 13:12 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. (ESV, English Standard Version)
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. (NET Bible)
1Co 13:12 For now we see a dim reflection in a looking-glass. But then we shall see face to face; Now what I know is imperfect, but then I shall know perfectly, as God knows me. (Williams NT)
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a mirror indirectly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know completely, just as I have also been completely known. (LEB, Lexham English Bible)
1Co 13:12 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; (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a mirror by reflection, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (EMTV, English Majority Text Version)
1Co 13:12 What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God’s knowledge of me. (GNB, Good News Bible)
1Co 13:12 Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. (GW, God’s Word translation)
1Co 13:12 For we see now through a dim window obscurely, but then face to face; now I know partially, but then I shall know according as I also have been known. (Darby translation)
1Co 13:12 For we see, as yet, through a dim window, obscurely, but, then, face to face: as yet, I gain knowledge, in part, but, then, shall I fully know, even as I was also fully known. (EB, Emphasized Bible)
1Co 13:12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)
1Co 13:12 Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
Above, I have shared 13 English translations of 1 Corinthians 13:12. Each translation presents what the translator or translators see in the underlying New Testament Greek text. There is additional insight to be gained by understanding that the ancient mirrors of Paul’s day made of polished metal were nowhere near as clear in the image they reflected as our modern mirrors.
As much as the Bible as a whole teaches us about God, there is much more to know. That full and perfect knowledge of God awaits us when we see Him face to face. Our understanding of all that has affected us in this life will be much greater then!
Some additional insight into the teaching of 1 Corinthians 13:12 can be had by studying what the rest of the Bible says about these things. Enjoy the cross reference Bible study from this newly updated and expanded Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
1 Corinthians 13:12
now. Gr. arti (S# G737, Mat 3:15).
we see. Exo 33:20, Exo 33:23, Num 12:8, 1Sa 9:9, Job 36:26; **Job 37:5, Ezk 1:28, *2Co 3:18; 2Co 5:7, *Php 3:12; *Php 3:13, +**Heb 12:14, Jas 1:23, *1Jn 3:2.
a glass. or, mirror. Exo 38:8, Ezk 40:25, Jas 1:23 g.
darkly. Gr. in a riddle. Num 12:8, Jdg 14:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 1Ki 10:1, Job 37:19, Pro 1:6, Song 2:9, Ezk 17:2; Ezk 40:16; Ezk 40:20; Ezk 41:16. Rom 13:12, 2Pe 1:19.
but then. 1Cor 4:4, 5. +*Heb 12:23.
face. Gen 32:30, Exo 33:11, Num 12:8; Num 14:14, +Deut 5:4; Deut 34:10, Jdg 6:22, +*Job 19:26, Psa 11:7; *Psa 16:11; Psa 17:15, *Pro 27:19, Isa 52:8, Ezk 20:35, +**Mat 5:8; Mat 18:10, Mar 1:2, *John 17:24, Rom 8:18, *2Co 3:18, Heb 9:24, Heb 12:2, **1Jn 3:2, 2Jn 1:12, 3Jn 1:14, Rev 22:4.
now. Gr. arti (S# G737, Mat 3:15). 1Co 13:9, 10, John 10:15.
know. Gr. ginōskō, John 8:55 note. FS96A1, +Mat 5:29. Mar 13:32. Heb 10:26, 2Pe 1:2, 2Pe 1:4, +*1Jn 2:3.
in part. 1Co 2:9, 1Co 8:2, 1Sa 3:8, Job 4:12, +*Pro 4:18, 1Jn 3:2.
then shall. 1Co 13:10, Song 2:17, Isa 11:9, +*Mat 17:3 note. +*Luk 16:23, John 13:7, 2Co 3:8, Rev 4:6, Rev 7:15, Rev 10:7.
know. Gr. epiginōskō, +Mat 11:27. or, fully know. Rev 3:12.
I am known. Gr. epiginōskō, +Mat 11:27. or, am fully known. +1Co 8:3, +*Psa 1:6; +Psa 37:18; +**Psa 40:17, Psa 119:168, Luk 5:8, John 10:14, John 10:27, Gal 4:9, **2Ti 2:19.