Verse 12
Another illustration of the difference between our present and future states as Christians is the mirror. In Paul’s day, craftsmen made mirrors out of metal.
". . . Corinth was famous as the producer of some of the finest bronze mirrors in antiquity." [Note: Fee, The First . . ., pp. 647-48. Cf. Robertson and Plummer, p. 298.]
Consequently the apostle’s point was not that our present perception of reality is somewhat distorted, but in the future it will be completely realistic. [Note: See Michael Fishbane, "Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Ezekiel 43:3, Numbers 12:8 and 1 Corinthians 13:8," Hebrew Annual Review 10 (1986):63-74.] Rather it was that now we see indirectly, but then we shall see directly, face to face. Today we might say that we presently look at a photograph, but in the future we will see what the photograph pictures.
Now we know (Gr. ginosko) only partially. When the Lord has resurrected or "raptured" us and we stand in His presence, we will know fully (Gr. epignosko), as fully as God now knows us. I do not mean that we will be omniscient; we will not be. We will be fully aware. Now He knows us directly, but then we will also know Him directly.
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