Lexical Summary esoptron: Mirror Original Word: ἔσοπτρον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance glass. From eis and a presumed derivative of optanomai; a mirror (for looking into) -- glass. Compare katoptrizomai. see GREEK eis see GREEK optanomai see GREEK katoptrizomai HELPS Word-studies 2072 ésoptron – a metallic mirror (not made of glass). Ancient mirrors (merely made of polished metal) only produced an indistinct image (reflection). So, to get an accurate picture (reflection) the viewer had to look from several different angles ("standpoints"). This has profound implications in "doing theology"! NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eis and the fut. of horaó Definition a mirror (i.e. an object for looking into) NASB Translation mirror (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2072: ἔσοπτρονἔσοπτρον, ἐσόπτρου, τό (ὈΠΤΩ), a mirror: 1 Corinthians 13:12; James 1:23. (Wis. 7:26; Sir. 12:11; Pindar Nem. 7, 20; Anacreon ( Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Ἔσοπτρον denotes a mirror, an object designed to reflect an image and, in Scripture, a metaphor for spiritual perception and self-examination. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. James 1:23 – the mirror illustrates how merely hearing the word without obedience leaves a person unchanged. Mirrors in Antiquity and the Biblical World In the first century, mirrors were commonly crafted from highly polished bronze or other metals. The reflection was real yet imperfect—adequate for recognition but lacking the sharpness of modern glass mirrors. This cultural fact underlies Paul’s phrase “dim reflection” (1 Corinthians 13:12). The physical properties of such mirrors provide the historical backdrop for the biblical imagery: what one sees is true but incomplete, pointing toward a fuller revelation. Self-Examination and Obedience (James 1:23–25) James employs the mirror to expose the folly of passive listening. “For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror” (James 1:23). The mirror serves four related purposes: Partial Vision and Future Clarity (1 Corinthians 13:8–13) Paul places the mirror within his discourse on love and spiritual gifts: “Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Key theological emphases: Old Testament Background and Related Imagery • Exodus 38:8 – the bronze basin for the tabernacle was fashioned from the mirrors of the women, linking reflective metal with worship and purification. Doctrinal Themes 1. Revelation and Response – Mirrors reveal; truth demands action. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching – Encourage congregations to treat the sermon as a mirror, seeking personal application rather than mere information. Summary Ἔσοπτρον frames the believer’s journey between initial reflection and ultimate revelation. James calls for immediate obedience to the word that exposes, while Paul assures that one day the dim image will give way to direct vision. Both uses affirm the reliability of God’s self-disclosure, the necessity of present faithfulness, and the certainty of future completeness in Christ. Forms and Transliterations εσοπτρου εσόπτρου ἐσόπτρου εσοπτρω εσόπτρω ἐσόπτρῳ esoptro esoptrō esóptroi esóptrōi esoptrou esóptrouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 13:12 N-GNSGRK: ἄρτι δι' ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι NAS: we see in a mirror dimly, KJV: we see through a glass, darkly; but INT: presently through a glass in obscurity James 1:23 N-DNS Strong's Greek 2072 |
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