Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:12 in Everyday Terms
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “We see through a glass dimly,” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. This phrase comes straight from the King James Version of the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Let’s break it down in simple language.
What’s the Big Idea?
Paul, who wrote this letter in the Bible, is talking about how we understand spiritual things here and now. He compares our current understanding to looking into an old, cloudy mirror. Back in ancient times, mirrors weren’t made of clear glass—they were just polished metal, so you’d see a blurry, warped version of yourself. In the same way, our knowledge about God and spiritual truths is foggy and incomplete.
Why Did Paul Say This?
This chapter is all about love. Paul is explaining to the early Christians that love is the most important thing, even more important than knowledge, special talents, or spiritual gifts. He uses the “dim mirror” example to show that, on earth, we only grasp a small part of the big picture. It’s as if we can only put together a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
What About the Future?
Paul says that someday, we won’t have this problem. Instead of seeing things in a blurry mirror, we’ll see clearly—“face to face.” That means all the mysteries and confusion will go away, and we’ll finally understand everything fully. This is a way of talking about being in heaven, or being with God after this life ends.
More Than Just a Blurry Reflection
There’s another layer to this saying. The original Greek words suggest that “dimly” could also mean “like a riddle” or “like an enigma.” That’s like trying to solve a tricky mystery with only a few clues. Right now, we don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. Our spiritual vision is cloudy, and sometimes we just can’t see the whole truth.
Why Does It Matter?
· We’re All Still Learning: None of us has all the answers. Our ideas about God, life, and purpose are limited by our human experience.
· There’s Hope for More: Even if things feel confusing now, Paul tells us that someday, we’ll have complete clarity. All the questions and mysteries will make sense.
· Love Is What Lasts: The main point of this chapter is that love outlasts everything else—even faith and hope. In heaven, we won’t need faith or hope anymore, because we’ll see and experience everything. But love will remain, and it will finally be perfect.
Putting It All Together
So, when you hear “we see through a glass dimly,” think of trying to recognize your reflection in a cloudy, old mirror. It’s a reminder that our current understanding of spiritual things is incomplete. But the good news? There’s a promise that, one day, everything will become clear. In the meantime, focusing on loving others is the most important thing we can do, because love is what will last forever.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 