Thus Paul could say that in one sense he knew Christ and God, as can we (2 Tim.1:12; 2 Cor.5:16; Gal.4:9; Heb.10:30; 1 Jn.2:13), especially through personally experiencing God's love and responding to it (1 Jn.4:7,8); but in another sense he only "knew in part" (1 Cor.13:9,12), longing for the return of Christ, "that I may (then) know him, and the power of his resurrection" (Phil.3:10).
Hivyo Paulo aliweza kusema kuwa katika maana moja alimjua Kristo na Mungu, kama tuwezavyo sisi (2 Tim 1:12; 2Kor 5:16; Gal 4:9; Ebra 10:30; 1Yoh 2:13), hasa kwa kuona wenyewe upendo wa Mungu na kuitikia (1 Yoh 4:7,8); ila kwa maana nyingine "alijua kwa sehemu" (1 Kor 13:9,12), kutamani kurudi Kristo, "ili (wakati huo) nimjue yeye, na uweza wa kufufuka kwake" (Flp 3:10).