1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Verse 11 Read Chapter 13 Verse 13

Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

But when we begin to have a spiritual body as we are promised in the resurrection, let us see it even in the body, either by an intellectual vision or in some miraculous manner, since the grace of the spiritual body is indescribable. We shall then see it according to our capacity, without limitations of space, not larger in one part and smaller in another, since it is not a body, and it is wholly present everywhere. Letter , To Consentius.

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

Face to face—this is how the holy angels, who are called our angels, already see. They are our angels in the sense that once we have been delivered from the power of darkness, have received the pledge of the spirit and have been translated to the kingdom of Christ, we shall have begun to belong to the angels.

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Basil the Great

AD 379

But, before I take up the matter itself of the profession of faith, the following warning should be given: It is impossible to express in one word or one concept, or to grasp with the mind at all, the majesty and glory of God, which is unutterable and incomprehensible, and the Holy Scripture, although for the most part employing words in current use, speaks obscurely 'as through a glass (1 Cor 13.12),’ even to the clean of heart. They have been promised to those who are accounted worthy in the life to come. But now, even if a man be a Paul or a Peter, even though he truly sees what he sees and is not misled nor deceived by his imagination, yet he sees through a glass and in a dark manner, and he looks forward with great joy to perfect knowledge in the future of that which he receives now in part with thanksgiving. - "Homily on Faith"

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

We know ourselves by reflection, as in a mirror. We contemplate, as far as we may, the creative cause on the basis of the divine element in us.

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

In saying, therefore, "I have given you milk to drink "has he not indicated the knowledge of the truth, the perfect gladness in the Word, who is the milk? And what follows next, "not meat, for ye were not able "may indicate the clear revelation in the future world, like food, face to face. "For now we see as through a glass "the same apostle says, "but then face to face.". Spiritually, therefore, the apostle writes respecting the knowledge of God, "For now we see as through a glass, but then face to face."

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

For now we see through a glass in an enigma: but then face to face. We see, i.e, God and heavenly things, by which we may be saved and be happy, as appears from what follows. You will say: If we see God here in a mirror, we see Him clearly and not in an enigma, for a mirror exhibits to the eyes, not an image of the object, as is commonly supposed, but the very object itself. I reply. It is true that a mirror exhibits to the eyes the object itself, yet it does Song of Solomon , not by a direct ray but reflected; and therefore it represents the object, not properly, clearly, distinctly, but as from a distance, obscure and confusedly. Such is the knowledge of God and of Divine things which we have in this life, but in heaven we shall see God as He Isaiah , face to face, directly, closely, clearly. Secondly, the Greek word denotes that which we look through as a means of seeing anything, such as the spectacles of old men, an eye-glass, or green glass which is placed over a writing, that i... Read More

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Cyprian of Carthage

AD 258

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "We see now through the glass in an enigma, but then with face to face. Now I know partly; but then I shall know even as also I am known."

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Didymus the Blind

AD 398

This means that the things which we now hear on the authority of the Scriptures we believe to be so. After the resurrection we shall see them with our eyes and know them in reality, when partial knowledge has ceased, for the knowledge which depends on hearing is part of the knowledge of an eyewitness and of experience. Montanist Oracles, On the Trinity

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Gregory the Theologian

AD 390

No one has yet discovered or shall ever discover what God is in his nature and essence. As for a discovery some time in the future, let those who have a mind for it research and speculate. The discovery will take place, so my reason tells me, when this Godlike, divine thing, I mean our mind and reason, mingles with its kin, when the copy returns to the pattern it now longs after. This seems to me to be the meaning of the great dictum that we shall, in time to come, know even as we are known.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

God does not have a face, of course. Paul uses this image to denote greater clarity and perspicuity. Someone sitting in the darkness at night will not run after the light of the sun as long as he cannot see it. But when the dawn comes and the sun’s brightness begins to shine on him, he will eventually follow after its light.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

But then face to face. Not as though God has a face, but to express the notion of greater clearness and perspicuity. Do you see how we learn all things by gradual addition? Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I have been known. Do you see how in two ways he pulls down their pride? Both because their knowledge is in part, and because not even this have they of themselves. For I knew Him not, but He made Himself known to me, says he. Wherefore, even as now He first knew me, and Himself hastened towards me, so shall I hasten towards Him then much more than now. For so he that sits in darkness, as long as he sees not the sun does not of himself hasten to meet the beauty of its beam, which indeed shows itself as soon as it has begun to shine: but when he perceives its brightness, then also himself at length follows after its light: This then is the meaning of the expression, even as also I have been known. Not that we shall so know him as He is, but that even as He ha... Read More

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Methodius of Olympus

AD 311

"face to face "and not "darkly "and "in part.". Know that shadows and figures have ceased; and we hasten on to the truth, proclaiming its glorious images. For now we know "in part "and as it were "through a glass"

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Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220

As the apostle also expresses it, "Now we see through a glass, darkly (or enigmatically), but then face to face."

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