Puzzle

Now we see as in a mirror,

in an allegory,

but then face to face.

Now I know partially,

but then I shall know

as I am known.

—I Cor 13

In first studying Greek in college I tried translating almost word for word this celebrated chapter in my Greek New Testament. To me the Greek was almost inscrutable without the helpful index at the back. The word “partially” referred to puzzle pieces. Were these puzzle pieces early game pieces like our jigsaw puzzles, or did this refer to shards of a mosaic at the time of Paul’s writing? I don’t know, but here’s how I translated the second part of the above verse:

Now I see only puzzle pieces,

but then I will see

the completed puzzle of me

as I am already seen.

Just as easily it could be something like this:

Now I think I am in shards but then
a mosaic will appear and I will understand as I am understood.