Understanding “Seeing in a Mirror Dimly” in Simple Language
Have you ever tried to look at yourself in a foggy mirror? Maybe after a hot shower, you catch only a blurry outline—no sharp details, just a fuzzy version of your reflection. That’s the picture the Bible uses in 1 Corinthians 13:12 to describe how we understand God and spiritual things right now.
Right now, when it comes to big questions about God, life, and the universe, Paul says we’re in that “foggy mirror” stage. Our understanding is real, but it’s limited and unclear. We might get glimpses of the truth, but we don’t see the whole picture.
But one day, things will be different. The verse promises that in the future, we’ll see God “face to face”—as clearly and directly as seeing someone in bright sunlight, no longer just a cloudy shape in the mirror. Our understanding will be complete and crystal clear. The things that confuse us now or seem mysterious will finally make sense.
Think of it like this: If you’re a child, you might not understand why grown-ups do certain things. As you grow up, the world makes more sense. That’s a bit like how Paul describes our “childhood” understanding now, compared to the “adulthood” understanding we’ll have later with God.
Here are a few key takeaways from this verse:
· Dim Reflection vs. Clear View: Right now, our spiritual understanding is like looking at a cloudy mirror. But one day, we’ll have a direct, clear view of God’s truth.
· Partial vs. Complete Knowing: We only know a piece of the puzzle today. In the future, we’ll see the full picture—nothing hidden, nothing confusing.
· God Already Knows Us Completely: Even if we don’t understand everything, God knows us inside and out—fully and perfectly, right now.
This verse is part of a bigger chapter in the Bible about love—sometimes called “the love chapter.” Paul’s point is that gifts and talents, like wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual powers, are good but won’t last forever. Even faith and hope are temporary, because in heaven we won’t need faith (we’ll see God for ourselves) or hope (because all our hopes will be fulfilled). But love—real, selfless, God-like love—lasts forever. Love is the greatest thing we can have.
So, when you feel frustrated by things you can’t understand or mysteries you can’t solve—about the world, about faith, about your own life—remember we’re all looking through that foggy mirror. The promise is that one day, every confusion will lift, and we’ll see things as they truly are, face to face. And until then, the best thing we can do is love: love God, love others, and trust that the rest will become clear in time.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 