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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 Corinthians 13:12 - 13:12
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Through a glass (δἰ ἐσόπτρου)
Rev., in a mirror. Through (διά) is by means of. Others, however, explain it as referring to the illusion by which the mirrored image appears to be on the other side of the surface: others, again, think that the reference is to a window made of horn or other translucent material. This is quite untenable. Ἔσοπτρον mirror occurs only here and Jam 1:23. The synonymous word κάτοπτρον does not appear in the New Testament, but its kindred verb κατοπτρίζομαι to look at one's self in a mirror, is found, 2Co 3:18. The thought of imperfect seeing is emphasized by the character of the ancient mirror, which was of polished metal, and required constant polishing, so that a sponge with pounded pumice-stone was generally attached to it. Corinth was famous for the manufacture of these. Pliny mentions stone mirrors of agate, and Nero is said to have used an emerald. The mirrors were usually so small as to be carried in the hand, though there are allusions to larger ones which reflected the entire person. The figure of the mirror, illustrating the partial vision of divine things, is frequent in the rabbinical writings, applied, for instance, to Moses and the prophets. Plato says: “There is no light in the earthly copies of justice or temperance or any of the higher qualities which are precious to souls: they are seen through a glass, dimly” (“Phaedrus,” 250). Compare “Republic,” vii., 516.
Darkly (ἐν αἰνίγματι)
Lit., in a riddle or enigma, the word expressing the obscure form in which the revelation appears. Compare δἰ αἰνιγμάτων in dark speeches, Num 12:8.
Face to face
Compare mouth to mouth, Num 12:8.
Shall I know (ἐπιγνώσομαι)
American Rev., rightly, “I shall fully know.” See on knowledge, Rom 3:20. The A.V. has brought this out in 2Co 6:9, well known.
I am known (ἐπεγνώσθην)
The tense is the aorist, “was known,” in my imperfect condition. Paul places himself at the future stand-point, when the perfect has come. The compound verb is the same as the preceding. Hence American Rev., “I was fully known.”