The Biblical Mirror Principle
The Biblical Mirror Principle – most people have never heard of it. However, the Biblical mirror principle is a very important concept in scripture. It is not a principle that it easy to see but understanding and applying it, where appropriate, does clear up some difficult Biblical passages.
The Biblical Mirror Principle: Background
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9)
Early in His ministry, Jesus said:
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)
“And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” (John 5:37)
“Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” (John 6:46)
At the last supper, there was this exchange:
“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:7-9)
From these, it is apparent that the disciples had not actually, physically seen the Father. Jesus must have meant “to see” in the sense of to understand, to perceive the Father, to know what the Father is like.
What is Most Important
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
It seems that our perception, our knowledge of what the Father is like is very important. We should know our condition as far as our relationship with the Father. Do we understand Him? Do we love Him or, perhaps, are we afraid of Him? Do we have subconscious negative thoughts about Him? Do we love to keep His law? Do we put Him first? So, many of the questions are actually about us.
The Biblical Mirror Principle in God’s Plan
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)
God wants us to reflect His character. But since we can’t see God, He gave us His Son to show what He is like:
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Heb 1:3)
The Greek word translated as “express image” is “χαρακτήρ” charakter (G5481) and this verse has the only use of that Greek word in the Bible.
A definition from Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon:
“the exact expression (the image) of any person or thing, marked likeness, precise reproduction in every respect, i.e facsimile”
Basically, it is saying they are of the same, exactly the same character. “Like father, like son.” And if we will become, in character, like God’s Son, then we will be like the Father. We will develop this more later.
The Biblical Mirror Principle: Important Verses
The word “mirror” does not appear in the KJV. The word “glass” or “looking glass” is used.
“Glass” is translated from:
- G2072 esoptron – (n) a mirror (2 verses)
- G2734 katoptrizomai – (v) to show in a mirror, reflect, see oneself (1 verse)
- G5193 hualinos – (adj) transparent like glass (2 verses in Revelation)
- G5194 hualos – (n) transparent stone like glass (2 verses in Revelation)
Four verses in Revelation are just referring to the appearance of the city, the street and the sea of glass. There are three key Biblical-Mirror-Principle verses using “glass” that we need to look at.
The Biblical Mirror Principle: Verse #1
“For now we see through a glass (G2072), darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor 13:12)
When we look at a mirror, we don’t see “through” it. The original word translated as “through” is:
G1223 διά dia dee-ah’
a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; prep
AV-by 241, through 88, with 16, for 58, for … sake 47, therefore + 5124 44, for this cause + 5124 14, because 52, misc 86; 646
1) through
1a) of place
1a1) with
1a2) in
1b) of time
1b1) throughout
1b2) during
1c) of means
1c1) by
1c2) by the means of
2) through
2a) the ground or reason by which something is or is not done
2a1) by reason of
2a2) on account of
2a3) because of for this reason
2a4) therefore
2a5) on this account
A better translation (than the KJV) is:
“For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.” (1 Cor 13:12, Amplified Bible)
It is talking about seeing ourselves, so “mirror” is appropriate. Here I have added a little clarification to the verse:
“For now we see [ourselves] through [by means of] a glass, darkly
(in an enigma – we don’t understand) but then face to face: now I know
in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known [by God].”
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
Enigma (dictionary.com)
- a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation:
- a person of puzzling or contradictory character:
- a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
1 Corinthians 13:12 is talking about us seeing/knowing ourselves.
Now | we see | darkly | then | face to face |
Now | I know | in part | then | as I am known |
So, what do we see? Just the spot on our face?
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer 17:9)
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:” (Mark 7:21-22)
The verse is making the point that we don’t understand ourselves, our condition, our great need and that probably applies to most people.
The Biblical Mirror Principle: Verse #2
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (G2734) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor 3:18)
What does “with open face” mean?
“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” (2 Cor 3:14-16)
“It” = whosoever. Here is a better translation:
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Cor 3:16, NIV)
Doesn’t this imply that, when the vail is taken away, there will be a different/better understanding of the Old Testament?
“But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass <G2734> the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor 3:18)
Note that G2734 is translated into all the words: “beholding as in a glass.”
G2734 κατοπτρίζομαι katoptrizomai kat-op-trid’-zom-ahee
middle voice from a compound of 2596 and a derivative of 3700; v;
AV-behold as a glass 1; 1
1) to show in a mirror, to make to reflect, to mirror
2) to look at one’s self in a mirror
3) to behold one’s self in a mirror
Paul is saying that we are beholding (which implies more than merely seeing; perhaps mentally understanding and assenting to) the glory/character of the Lord but in a mirror. The suggestion is that we are seeing ourselves at the same time and that beholding is having an effect; it is changing us into the same image.
The Biblical Mirror Principle: Verse #3
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (G2072): For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:23-25)
“Anyone who simply listens to God’s prescription and doesn’t apply it to their life is like a person who looks at their face in a mirror, sees the dirt, then walks away without washing it off, and eventually forgets about it.” (James 1:23-24, The Remedy New Testament)
Looking in the face of Christ, we see a image that perfectly reflects the face of God. When we do not look into the face of Christ, our reading of the Bible will only reflect our natural face (i.e. our limited human understanding).
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor 3:18 NKJV)
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:” (James 1:23)
“For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” (James 1:24)
Forgetting “what manner of man he was” could be a way of saying he does not see the need to change or does nothing about it.
Here is a short video of what James 1:23-25 says: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jdclJS9rxQE
That “looking in the mirror” is necessary to do what this verse says:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor 13:5)
It is by beholding the glory of God in Christ that enables us to give the same light to others:
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)
The Biblical Mirror Principle in God’s Law
The law (the perfect law of liberty) is a mirror or transcript of God’s character. Notice the close similarity between the Bible’s description of God and of His law:
God is: | God’s law is: |
love (1 John 4:8) | love (Matt 22:37-40) |
truth (John 14:6) | truth (Psa 119:142) |
holy (Isa 6:3) | holy (Rom 7:12) |
righteous (1 Cor 1:30) | righteous (Psa 119:172) |
perfect (Matt 5:48) | perfect (Psa 19:7) |
good (Luke 18:19) | good (Rom 7:12) |
just (Deut 32:4) | just (Rom 7:12) |
pure (1 John 3:3) | pure (Psa 19:8) |
forever (Psa 90:2) | forever (Psa 111:7-8) |
unchangeable (Jam 1:17) | unchangeable (Matt 5:18) |
Examples of The Biblical Mirror Principle in Scripture
The Biblical mirror principle is not just for our benefit, to help us to see the need to look at ourselves. In many of the stories of the Bible where we see the Biblical mirror principle in action, a mirror was functioning for the benefit of the characters involved at the time. Understanding that the mirror principle was in action helps us to understand some difficult aspects of those stories.
Here is a very good example of people having to look in a mirror to see themselves. A woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus and He was asked whether she should be stoned.
“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” (John 8:3-5)
His answer:
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
How would that be a mirror? Wouldn’t that cause them to look inward? Wouldn’t that cause them to ask themselves: “Am I without sin?” Does the fact that no one threw a stone demonstrate the power of the conscience? Jesus effectively held up a mirror to them to get them to do that.
Did they pass the test? Yes, because none of them threw a stone as they recognized their own guilt. Could they have had a different reaction?
They could have admitted their need and said “Move over lady, I need to kneel before Jesus too.”
More Examples of The Biblical Mirror Principle
See these pages for more examples of The Biblical Mirror Principle in action. They will also help to explain some difficult portions of scripture.
Abraham – https://characterofgod.org/genesis-22-2-meaning/
God was not actually telling Abram to slay his son Isaac. In this event, God had Abram look at himself, especially at long-held views about sacrifice and learn a lesson that stuck with him the rest of his life.
God Testing Moses – https://characterofgod.org/exodus-32-10-meaning/ -posted
God’s suggestion to Moses caused Moses to look within himself at what was important to him, to challenge his ambitions. The curious things is that Moses tried the same thing on God.
God Rejecting Saul as King of Israel – https://characterofgod.org/why-did-god-reject-king-saul/
God showed Saul where he had gone wrong in his actions as king and why he would be rejected as king and replaced. Unfortunately, Saul never did correct his ways.
The Woman of Canaan – https://characterofgod.org/matthew-15-26-meaning/
The mirror in this story was held up by Jesus so that his disciples could see themselves in the sense of prejudices they held. An acted illustration can often be much more effective than mere words.
Return from the Biblical Mirror Principle to the Home Page
January 8, 2025 @ 8:06 am
Very insightful. Thanks.
January 8, 2025 @ 8:56 am
It’s nice to see that Troy is onside with this most necessary principle. The mirror perhaps can be best explained when dealing with the killing episodes in the Old Covenant without which most people will continue to believe it is God Who instructed the slaughter and genocide.
January 8, 2025 @ 9:15 am
Thank you for all of your email you help us to understand better
January 8, 2025 @ 9:20 am
Awesome. God bless!
January 15, 2025 @ 5:23 am
enjoyed the article thanks for posting…