The Knowledge of God
Bp. Phillips Brooks. 1 Corinthians 13:12 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. What Paul prophesies for man, Christ already possesses. Paul says, "Some day I shall know God as God knows me." Jesus says, "As God knows me, even so I do now know God." This is man's highest hope. It has been realised already in the man Christ Jesus. Thus we know that our hope is not a vain hope. 1. "God knows me," says St. Paul. That was his fundamental conviction. But that conviction involved another. If the Father knew the child, it must be in the child's power to know the Father. Paul was no agnostic. Known perfectly, he knew but in part; but the time would come when he should know as he was known. And this certainty of a future knowledge was itself a present knowledge. 2. This future knowledge means perfect obedience in the future; perfect harmony between the child's action and the Father's will. When Jesus said, "The Father knoweth Me," He meant, "God has a will for every act of Mine" And when He said, "I know the Father," He meant, "In every act of Mine, I do the Father's will." So with us. With perfect freedom answering to every will of God. There alone is peace and power. (Bp. Phillips Brooks.) Parallel Verses 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. WEB: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.