What Does 1 Corinthians 13:12 Mean?

For now we see through a glass, darkly (βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι' ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, blepomen gar arti di' esoptrou en ainigmati)—Esoptron is a mirror, typically polished bronze in antiquity, providing a dim, imperfect reflection (unlike modern glass mirrors). En ainigmati means "in a riddle" or "obscurely"—we see reality as if it were a cryptic puzzle. Our current perception of God, even through Scripture and Spirit-illumination, is indirect and incomplete. We see reflections, not Reality itself.

But then face to face (τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον, tote de prosōpon pros prosōpon)—This phrase echoes Numbers 12:8 (LXX), where God speaks to Moses "mouth to mouth" (stoma kata stoma), and Exodus 33:11, "The LORD spoke to Moses face to face." It also anticipates 1 John 3:2, "We shall see him as he is." The beatific vision—seeing God unveiled—is the Christian's ultimate hope. No more mediation, no more obscurity, direct sight of Christ in His glory.

Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην, arti ginōskō ek merous, tote de epignōsomai kathōs kai epegnōsthēn)—The shift from ginōskō (know) to epiginōskō (know fully, recognize completely) is significant. Our current knowledge is partial (ek merous); our future knowledge will be comprehensive, matching the way God has always fully known us. Not that we'll be omniscient, but that our knowledge will be complete, unobstructed, perfected.