ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 13 v12a

SELF-KNOWLEDGE BY REFLECTION. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: We know ourselves by reflection, as in a mirror. We contemplate, as far as we may, the creative cause on the basis of the divine element in us. STROMATEIS 1.94.

IN A MIRROR DIMLY. ORIGEN: If the knowledge manifested to those worthy of it comes through a mirror and is an enigma in the present age and will be fully revealed only “then,” it is foolish to suppose that it will not be the same for the other virtues as well. ON PRAYER 11.2.

THEN FACE TO FACE. CHRYSOSTOM: God does not have a face, of course. Paul uses this image to denote greater clarity and perspicuity. Someone sitting in the darkness at night will not run after the light of the sun as long as he cannot see it. But when the dawn comes and the sun’s brightness begins to shine on him, he will eventually follow after its light. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 34.2.

AS THE ANGELS SEE GOD. AUGUSTINE: Face to face—this is how the holy angels, who are called our angels, already see. They are our angels in the sense that once we have been delivered from the power of darkness, have received the pledge of the spirit and have been translated to the kingdom of Christ, we shall have begun to belong to the angels. CITY OF GOD 22.29.

AS TYPES AND SHADOWS. PELAGIUS: The dim mirror is the law of Moses, which contains everything in types and shadows. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 13.

1 Cor