Mirror(looking glass)
Summary
A polished metal surface used for viewing one's reflection, mentioned literally and used as a powerful spiritual metaphor.
☩Ancient Mirrors
Biblical mirrors were made of polished metal—bronze, copper, or later brass—not glass. The 'looking glasses' contributed by Israelite women were made into the bronze laver (Exodus 38:8). Such mirrors gave imperfect reflections compared to modern glass mirrors, making Paul's metaphor especially meaningful.
☩Paul's Metaphor
'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' (1 Corinthians 13:12). The phrase 'through a glass' (literally 'in a mirror') refers to the imperfect reflection ancient mirrors provided. Our present knowledge of divine things is real but incomplete.
☩Word as Mirror
James compares one who hears but doesn't obey the Word to 'a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was' (James 1:23-24). Scripture reveals our true spiritual condition; ignoring it means forgetting what we really are.
☩Transformation
'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory' (2 Corinthians 3:18). Unlike merely glancing and forgetting, steadily gazing at Christ's glory transforms us into His likeness. The mirror becomes an instrument of spiritual transformation.
