Bible Questions Answered:
What was apostle speaking when he say he was looking through dark glass?
Kefentse/ Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Bible Answer:
Text:
I Corinthians 13:12 KJV
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.
*Glass-Greek: Esoptrn-(Es-op-tron): A mirror.
The American Standard Version Bible correctly translates the Greek word esoptrn as, “mirror.”
I Corinthians 13:12 ASV
For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.
If you were to see a mirror of the Apostle's day, you would understand, for this is what he was referring to.
A mirror in the Apostle's day, was not a section of glass, covered on the reverse side with silver.
In Paul's day, a mirror was polished, bronze or brass plate.
At Thebes, archeologists have unearthed ancient mirrors buried for centuries, and yet when cleaned and polished, give a reflection of one's face. These ancient mirrors were usually round with handles.
Exodus 35:20-29 KJV
20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all His service, and for the holy garments.
22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.
23 And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.
24 Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
Here we read of the people coming together to give of what they had, so that the Tabernacle, could be built.
Exodus 35:24 KJV
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering:
No doubt some of that brass, were the mirrors of the people, again certainly not the silvered glass that we are familiar with today.
The beloved Apostle Paul, stated (that in his day,) that he saw his own image through a “mirror” darkly, “but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
His image in brass, was a dark reflection at best.
And he intimates that, life itself has its darkness, that is we don't always understand everything as we wish we could. Life, death, the very existence of God. We progress as it were a child, from basic truths on to greater truths.
I Corinthians 13:8-13 KJV
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 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.
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.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I John 3:1-3 KJV
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.
