Lesson 474: 1 Corinthians 13:12
The Blueprint — The Verse
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Memorization Practice
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Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
is the famous love chapter, placed between teaching on spiritual gifts. Corinthian believers prized spectacular gifts while neglecting love that builds the community.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
PaulPaul is the apostle who carried the message of Jesus into the Gentile world, transforming early Christianity through his missionary journeys, his letters, and his profound teaching on grace, faith, and the New Covenant. More showed love's superiority to tongues, prophecy, knowledge, and sacrifice. He described love's character, then contrasted childhood seeing with mature face-to-face knowledge that awaits the eternal state.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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And now abideth faithFaith is the act of trusting God’s character, promises, and redemptive work even before the outcome is seen. In Scripture, faith is not blind belief but a confident reliance on God’s truth, rooted in His past actions and revealed purpose. It is the foundation of the believer’s relationship with God and the driving force behind obedience, endurance, and hope.... More, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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How does 'seeing through a glass darkly' describe our current knowledge?
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What will it mean to know fully when we see God face to face?
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How does eternal hope change how you handle partial understanding now?
