transj)arent, to see through a window was to see dimly. As the word, however, properly means a mirror, James 1, 23, the best interpretation probably is, 3. We see as through a mirror; the optical impression is that the object is behind the mirror, and the spectator seems to look through it. The ancient mirrors were of imperfectly polished metal, and tlie reflection which they gave was very obscure. Darkly^ Hteral- ly, in an enigma. This may be taken adverbially, as by our translators, xoe see enigmatically^ i. e. obscurely ; or the idea may be that we see divine things as it were wrapped up in enigmas. We do not see the things themselves, but those things as set forth in symbols and words which imperfectly express them. The reference seems to be to Num. 12, 8. Of an ordinary prophet God said, " I will make myself known unto him in a vision, and speak to him in a dream ; " but of Moses he says, " With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark sayings," i. e. in enigmas. (The Septuagint version is 8t' atviyyu-arwi/). The clearest revelation of the things of God in words is as an enigma, when compared to sight. Every thing is comparative. The revelations made to Moses were clear in comparison to the communications made to others by visions and dreams. Paul says the writings of Moses were enigmas compared to the revelations contained in the gospel, 2 Cor. 3, 12. 13. And the gospel itself is ob- scure compared to the lucid medium through which we shall see hereafter. But then face to face^ i. e. no longer through a mirror, but immediately. Comp. Gen. 32, 31. Num. 12, 8. The word of God is a mirror wherein even now we behold the glory of the Lord (2 Cor. 3, 18), but what is that to seeing him face to face !
Now I know in part (imperfectly), hut then shall I know even as I am known^ i. e. perfectly. As we are required to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, Matt. 5, 48, so we may be said to know even as we are known. We may be perfect in our narrow sj^here, as God is perfect in his ; and yet the distance between him and us remain infinite. What Paul wishes to impress upon the Corinthians is, that the gifts in which they so much prided themselves, were small matters compared to what is in reserve for the people of God.
1,3. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but the greatest of these (is) charity.