1 Corinthians 13:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For now we see through a glass darkly— For now we see in an ambiguous manner, by means of a mirror; δι εσοπτρου. The LXX. use this word for the women's looking-glasses, or mirrors of metal, out of which Moses made the laver, Exodus 38:8. It is well known that the use of dioptric glasses in telescopes did not prevail till many ages after the date of this Epistle. The meaning of the verse is, "We now see the most noble objects of our intellectual view in an ambiguous and obscure manner; as we discern distant objects by means of a glass or mirror, which reflects only their imperfect forms; so that, as when riddles are proposed to us, our understandings are often confounded with the uncertain and indeterminate appearances of things.—But then we shall see, not the faint reflection, but the objects themselves, face to face, in as distinct a manner as we could wish.—Now I know but in part;and though the light ofan immediate revelation from heaven has been imparted to me in many instances, and in an extraordinary manner, I am sensible how great a part is still kept under the veil. But then it shall be taken off, and I shall know, even as I also am known, in an intuitive and comprehensive manner: so that my knowledge shall bear some infinitely faint but fair resemblance to that of the Divine Being, which, while our notices of things hover about the surface, penetrates to the very centre of every object, and sees through my soul and all things as at one glance."