1 Corinthians 13:12, Face to Face

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.

We have the technology of “Facetime” in recent days where video calls can be made between persons over distances. Distance is bridged when you can see “face to face” the person we are communicating in real-time. In the past, we may communicate only through audio calls where we can hear the voice but not see the face. In a sense, we miss out on the facial expression and bodily reactions in such a communication.

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of seeing through a glass to describe a mirror for looking into. Walvoord observed well, “A city like Corinth, famous for its bronze mirrors, would have particularly appreciated Paul’s final illustration. The perfection and imperfection mentioned in verse 10 were deftly likened to the contrasting images obtained by the indirect reflection of one’s face viewed in a bronze mirror and the same face when viewed directly.”

On earth, we rely upon God’s Word to help us to see Him clearly. This comes with the completion of the canon of Scriptures, the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25), when we are a doer of His Word, cultivating godliness, the spiritual’s fruit in our lives. Amen.