OET interlinear 1COR 13:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

βλέπομεν

˱we˲_/are/_seeing

Here Paul does not state what it is that we see. The Corinthians would have inferred that he meant that we see God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this implication explicitly. Alternate translation: “we see God”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι

through /a/_mirror in /an/_enigma

Here Paul speaks as if we were looking at a mirror and could see a reflection unclearly. With this metaphor, Paul could be expressing the idea: (1) that now we can see God only indirectly, like a reflection in a mirror is an indirect image. Alternate translation: “an indirect reflection of God, as if we were looking in a mirror” (2) that now we can only see some things about God, like a mirror only imperfectly reflects an image. Alternate translation: “imperfectly, as if we were looking at a vague reflection in a mirror”

Note 3 topic: translate-unknown

δι’ ἐσόπτρου

through /a/_mirror

In Paul’s culture, a mirror was often made of polished metal. Often, these mirrors were relatively high quality and could reflect images well. Use a word in your language that describes something that reflects an image. Alternate translation: “in a looking glass”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

τότε δὲ πρόσωπον

then but face

Here Paul omits some words that your language may require to make a complete thought. Paul omits these words because he stated them explicitly in the previous clause (we see). If your language does need these words, you could supply them from that clause, but in the future tense. Alternate translation: “but then, we will see face”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον

then but face to face

Here, face to face identifies an action or situation as something that takes place in person. In other words, a person can actually see the other person’s face. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express face to face with a comparable idiom or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “but then, eye to eye” or “but then, in God’s direct presence”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

(Occurrence -1) τότε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι διʼ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην)

Here, then refers to the time when Jesus comes back and what happens after that. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind what then refers to explicitly. Alternate translation: “then, when Jesus returns, … then, when Jesus returns,”

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους; τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι, καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην

now now ˱I˲_/am/_knowing by part then but ˱I˲_/will_be/_knowing_fully as also ˱I˲_/was/_known_fully

Here Paul switches from first-person plural to first-person singular. Since he is using himself as an example for every believer, there is no special meaning behind the switch. Rather, Paul changes from plural to singular because it was good style in his culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this verse in first-person plural as well, or you could include words that clarify that Paul is using himself as an example. Alternate translation: “Now I, for example, know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

γινώσκω & ἐπιγνώσομαι

˱I˲_/am/_knowing & ˱I˲_/will_be/_knowing_fully

Again, Paul does not state what it is that I know. The Corinthians would have inferred that he meant that I know God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this implication explicitly. Alternate translation: “I know God … I will know God fully”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐκ μέρους

by part

Here, just as in 13:9, in part refers to how something is only a part of a larger whole. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express in part with a comparable expression that indicates that something is only part of a larger whole. Alternate translation: “partially” or “imperfectly”

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην

also ˱I˲_/was/_known_fully

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive here to focus on the person who is known rather than focusing on the one doing the “knowing.” If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that “God” does it. Alternate translation: “God has also fully known me”