A dark and enigmatic praise

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. [kjv]

βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι τοτε δε προσωπον προς προσωπον αρτι γινωσκω εκ μερους τοτε δε επιγνωσομαι καθως και επεγνωσθην [gnt]

… speculum … enigmate … [v]

The ancient Greek word "αινείτε" ≈ "praise" is related to the ancient Greek word "αἴνιγμα" ≈ "riddle, taunt, dark saying" and is the source of the English word "enigma".

The word the KJV (King James Version) often translates as "darkly" has the idea of an "enigma" which is the original Greek word.

The Greek word translated by the KJV as "darkly" is related to the Greek words for "enigma" and to "fable" and to "praise".

The modern Greek word "έπαινος" (EH-peh-nos) ≈ "praise".
The modern Greek word "αίνιγμα" (EH-nee-gma) ≈ "enigma".

In World War II, when Alan Turing (and others) broke the German Enigma code (on a regular basis) it did not help with German Navy messages.

The German Navy used the Enigma machine but had retained their code book system from World War I. Thus, Turing needed code books to be "pinched" (in this case, a privilege escalation attack) in order to complete the decryption of the German Navy messages.

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

1 Corinthians 13:12

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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.

Greek: βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι τοτε δε προσωπον προς προσωπον αρτι γινωσκω εκ μερους τοτε δε επιγνωσομαι καθως και επεγνωσθην

Latin: videmus nunc per speculum in enigmate tunc autem facie ad faciem nunc cognosco ex parte tunc autem cognoscam sicut et cognitus sum

Wycliffe: And we seen now bi a myrour in derknesse, but thanne face to face; now Y knowe of parti, but thanne Y schal knowe, as Y am knowun.

Tyndale: Now we se in a glasse even in a darke speakynge: but then shall we se face to face. Now I knowe vnparfectly: but then shall I knowe even as I am knowen.

Luther: Wir sehen jetzt durch einen Spiegel in einem dunklen Wort, dann aber von Angesicht zu Angesichte. Jetzt erkenne ich's stückweise; dann aber werde ich erkennen, gleichwie ich erkannt bin.

Spanish: Y ahora vemos por espejo, oscuramente; mas entonces veremos cara a cara; ahora conozco en parte; mas entonces conoceré como soy conocido.

In Bible times, "glass" was often used as a "mirror". In modern times, one encounters "carnival mirror sermons".

More: Carnival mirror sermons

*G135 *1 αἴνιγμα (ah'-ee-nig-ma) : from a derivative of G136 (in its primary sense); an obscure saying ("enigma"), i.e. (abstractly) obscureness:--X darkly.

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αινιγματι

1 Corinthians 13:12 ... we see through a glass, darkly; but then face ...

There are many hymns that use the word "praise" as part of the theme of the words of the song.

More: Song: Morning has broken

More: Song: When morning guilds the skies

Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. [kjv]

Joachim Neander published the hymn "Praise to the Lord" , in 1680. The title in German is " Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren".

Many of his hymns are based on ideas from the Psalms. Joachim used a popular folk tune melody, a variation of which was later used by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Music: Praise to the Lord

More: Song: Praise to the Lord