We have shown in Chapter 18h that the word "knowledge" signifies "union". Thus, the word "awareness" (επίγνωση) also signifies "full knowledge/union". Where other passages mention the word "perfection" as the Christian objective, the following verses use the word "awareness" for the same purpose.

"...and having donned the new (man), who is renewed in awareness, according to the image of the One Who created him..."  [Colossians 3:10]

So, man is renewed at Baptism, with "awareness" as his objective - that is, his full union with God.

"...for the preparation of the saints unto a labour of ministry, unto the edification of the body of Christ, until all of us have reached the unity in faith and awareness of (full union with) the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we no longer be infants, wavering and wandering about.... [Ephesians 4:12-15]

 

The above verse proves that the "final state - the objective - of "perfection" is "awareness".  The same is confirmed in the following verse:

"...Who wants all people to be saved, and to reach the awareness of truth...".   [1 Timothy 2:4]

The passage that we shall examine now, proves that ONLY the one who becomes a "perfect man" on the Christian path will reach "awareness":

"…prophecies… tongues… knowledge, shall be abolished… when that which is perfect arrives, then that which is partial shall be abolished.  When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant... when I became an adult, I abolished infantile things. We presently see things through a magnifying glass, indistinctly; but then, face to face... at present, I know partially; but then, I shall know fully (=awareness - future tense, επιγνώσομαι), just as I have been known fully (=awareness - past tense, επεγνώσθην)...." [1 Corinthians 13:8-12]

Thus, when man reaches perfection, he will no longer have simple knowledge, but "awareness", as a result of his full union with God.  (We shall go into more detail on this, in another chapter.)

Of course all these things are activated by the Holy Spirit, Who guides man towards enlightenment:

"...Who may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in full knowledge (=awareness - εν επιγνώσει) of Him, with the eyes of your hearts illuminated so that you can see what is the hope of His calling, what is the richness of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."   [Ephesians 1:17-18]