1 Corinthians 13:12

Through. Rather, “by means of.”

Glass. Gr. esoptron, “a mirror.” Another illustration is presented to show the imperfection of the best knowledge that can be obtained on earth. Ancient mirrors consisted of pieces of polished metal (see on Ex. 38:8). The image seen in such mirrors was frequently blurred and dim. Our knowledge of eternal truth is now obscure and dim in comparison with what it will be in heaven. Now our vision is clouded by the infirmities of the physical being, which have their origin in sin; even mental perception is impaired by wrong habits of living, so that spiritual things are only dimly perceived (see 7T 199, 257, 258; 2T 399, 400).

Darkly. Gr. en ainigmad, “in a riddle,” “in an enigma,” as in a puzzle where some of the pieces are missing, so that it cannot be properly put together. Such is our present vision of spiritual truth. It is partial, obscure, dim; yet that which can be understood is sufficient to bring joy to the faithful believer as he is enabled to see something of the beauty of the plan that God has made for the redemption and glorification of man. In heaven that which has obscured will be removed and the things that have puzzled men will be made plain; knowledge will increase, and with the increase of knowledge will come ever-increasing joy (see 8T 328).

Shall I know. That is, know fully, recognize, acknowledge, understand. The idea of “know fully” is not in the word translated “know,” earlier in the verse.

Even as. That is, in the very same manner; not necessarily to the same extent. When the imperfections of this life are all past and that remarkable change has been effected whereby the “corruptible” puts on “incorruption” and “this mortal” puts on “immortality” (ch. 15:52-54), dimness of vision will be replaced by clear sight, with all intervening obstructions removed. There will be face-to-face communion, so that the redeemed believer will, according to his ever-increasing ability, know and understand things fully.

I am known. Rather, “I was fully known,” or “I have been fully known,” that is, by God. Although in this life man’s knowledge of God is partial, God’s knowledge of man is complete. The more complete knowledge that man will possess in the world to come is compared with God’s knowledge of man in this present life. However, man’s knowledge will never equal God’s, or even approach it. For this reason the phrase “even as” must not be interpreted as meaning “equal in extent” (see above under “even as”). The words of this verse have sometimes been used to state the truth that in the kingdom of glory God’s people will recognize one another (see DA 804). It should be remembered that this is not Paul’s meaning in this present passage. There will indeed be such a recognition, but the apostle is here speaking of our present perplexities that in the world to come will be explained, and of our imperfect knowledge that will there be made complete (see 5T 706).