Lexical Summary epistamai: To know, to understand, to be acquainted with Original Word: ἐπίσταμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance know, understand. Apparently a middle voice of ephistemi (with nous implied); to put the mind upon, i.e. Comprehend, or be acquainted with -- know, understand. see GREEK ephistemi see GREEK nous HELPS Word-studies 1987 epístamai (from 1909 /epí, "fitting on," which intensifies 2476 /hístēmi, "stand") – properly, standing upon, referring to gaining knowledge by prolonged acquaintance, i.e. sustained, personal effort. For the believer, this careful study (observation) builds on taking a stand that Scripture is the Word of God (note the epi, "on"). [1987 (epistamai) expresses "what comes from close and familiar acquaintance" (B. F. Westcott, Lessons of the Revised Version, 101). 1987 (epistamai) in antiquity meant, "skilled in handicraft" (M. Vincent) – referring to knowledge "resulting from prolonged practice" (Thayer, 118).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ephistémi Definition to know, to understand NASB Translation being acquainted (1), know (6), know about (1), knowing (2), knows (1), understand (2), understands (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1987: ἐπίσταμαιἐπίσταμαι (seems to be the Ionic form of the middle of ἐφίστημι. Isocrates, Aristotle, others, also use ἐπιστῆσαι τήν διάνοιαν, τόν νοῦν, ἑαυτόν for to put one's attention on, fix one's thoughts on; indeed, the simple ἐπιστῆσαι is used in the same sense, by an ellipsis analogous to that of τόν νοῦν with the verbs προσέχειν, ἐπέχειν, and of τήν ὄψιν with προσβάλλειν; see Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 281f Hence, ἐπίσταμαι is properly, to turn oneself or one's mind to, put one's thought upon a thing); from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for יָדַע ; (cf. German sichworaufverstehen); a. to be acquainted with: τί, Acts 18:25; James 4:14; Jude 1:10; τινα, Acts 19:15; with reference to what is said or is to be interpreted, to understand: Mark 14:68; 1 Timothy 6:4. b. to know: περί τίνος, Acts 26:26; followed by an accusative with a participle Acts 24:10 (Winers Grammar, 346 (324); Buttmann, 301 (258)); followed by ὅτι, Acts 15:7; Acts 19:25; Acts 22:19; followed by ὡς, Acts 10:28; by πῶς, Acts 20:18; by ποῦ, Hebrews 11:8. (Synonym: see γινώσκω.) STRONGS NT 1987a: ἐπίστασιςἐπίστασις, ἐπιστασεως, ἡ (ἐφίστημι, ἐφισταμαι), an advancing, approach; incursion, onset, press: τῆς κακίας (Vulg.malorumincursio), 2 Macc. 6:3, where cf. Grimm; used of the pressure of a multitude asking help, counsel, etc., τίνι (on which dative cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 3; (Buttmann, 180 (156)); Kühner, § 424, 1) to one, 2 Corinthians 11:28 L T Tr WH (but others would have us translate it here by oversight, attention, care, a common meaning of the word in Polybius); used of a tumultuous gathering in Acts 24:12 L T Tr WH. Cf. Buttmann, as above Greek 1987, ἐπίσταμαι, underscores conscious, well–informed awareness. It describes knowledge gained by familiarity, observation, or repeated contact rather than abstract theory. Across its fourteen New Testament appearances, it exposes the moral weight that accompanies knowing, whether that knowledge is honored, rejected, or presumed upon. Range of Meaning Displayed 1. Accurate familiarity (Acts 10:28; Acts 15:7; Acts 20:18). Thus the verb moves between reliable experience and culpable presumption. Knowledge and Personal Witness Peter reminds the Jerusalem assembly, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God chose among you that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel” (Acts 15:7). Knowledge here becomes the basis for unity and policy; shared recollection of God’s acts directs corporate obedience. Likewise Paul appeals to Festus and Agrippa: “For the king knows about these matters” (Acts 26:26). Apostolic testimony rests upon verifiable public events, not secret mysticism. Knowledge and Apostolic Integrity “ You know how I lived the whole time I was with you” (Acts 20:18). Ministry credibility is grounded in transparent, observable conduct. Modern shepherds draw the same accountability: their congregations rightly “know” whether life matches confession. Knowledge and Spiritual Conflict The demon in Ephesus cries, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15). Supernatural foes recognize true authority. Believers engage warfare not with slogans but with genuine relational knowledge of Christ. Knowledge and Faithful Obedience “ By faith Abraham obeyed … and he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Limitation of human knowledge serves the life of faith; obedience often advances amid incomplete data, trusting the perfectly informed God. Knowledge as a Measure of Accountability Peter tells Cornelius’ household, “You are aware that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with a foreigner” (Acts 10:28). Once that shared fact is acknowledged, God’s new revelation overrules previous custom. What one “knows” cannot stay theoretical; it demands response. Thus Demetrius stirs economic self-interest: “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business” (Acts 19:25). Awareness fuels either repentance or rebellion. Knowledge and False Teachers “He is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:4). Empty teachers parade imagined expertise, yet their very claim exposes vacuum. Jude warns that scoffers “slander what they do not understand” (Jude 1:10). The Church must measure doctrine by genuine grasp of revealed truth, not noisy confidence. Limits of Human Knowledge “You do not even know what tomorrow will bring” (James 4:14). The verb here humbles presumption; daily plans are contingent upon the Lord’s will. Authentic piety integrates honest limitation with surrendered trust. Contrast with Peter’s Denial “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about” (Mark 14:68). Denial feigns ignorance to evade cost. Yet resurrection grace restores the disciple, proving that failed acknowledgment can be forgiven when met with repentance. Pastoral Applications • Cultivate verifiable integrity; let people “know” your manner of life. Christ, the One to Be Truly Known At Ephesus the evil spirit ranks Jesus supreme. Authentic discipleship centers on experiential knowledge of the risen Lord—“that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10). All other claims to understanding find meaning only in relationship to Him. Summary ἐπίσταμαι threads through narratives, sermons, warnings, and confessions to reveal that knowledge is moral: it binds the knower to act in harmony with truth. Recognized facts demand obedience; claimed knowledge without substance invites judgment. In every case Scripture drives the reader toward a living, obedient acquaintance with Jesus Christ, the One fully known by the Father and revealed to those who follow Him. Englishman's Concordance Mark 14:68 V-PIM/P-1SGRK: οἶδα οὔτε ἐπίσταμαι σὺ τί NAS: nor understand what KJV: not, neither understand I what thou INT: I know nor even understand you what Acts 10:28 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 15:7 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 18:25 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 19:15 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 19:25 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 20:18 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 22:19 V-PIM/P-3P Acts 24:10 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 26:26 V-PIM/P-3S 1 Timothy 6:4 V-PPM/P-NMS Hebrews 11:8 V-PPM/P-NMS James 4:14 V-PIM/P-2P Jude 1:10 V-PIM/P-3P Strong's Greek 1987 |
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