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1 Corinthians 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.
1 Corinthians 13:12 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
  • BSB 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.
  • 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.
  • NASB For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.
  • NLT Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Now we see dimly as in a mirror, but then face to face; now we know in part, but then fully. A day of complete knowing and unhindered fellowship is coming.

Overview

Paul contrasts present partial perception with future direct sight, evoking the ancient bronze mirror's blurry reflection. 'Face to face' points to the believer's future, unveiled communion with God. Our knowledge will then match the fullness with which God already knows us, the glorious hope secured for us in Christ.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 17

  • 1 Jn 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
  • 2 Cor 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
  • 1 Cor 13:9–10For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
  • Phil 3:12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
  • Rev 22:4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
  • 2 Cor 5:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
  • Matt 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Jas 1:23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
  • Rom 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
  • 1 Cor 8:3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
  • Gen 32:30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
  • John 10:15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
  • Matt 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
  • Num 12:8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
  • Exod 33:11And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
  • Judg 14:12–19And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
  • Ezek 17:2Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

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Christ at the center

Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.

How 1 Corinthians 13:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.