Lexical Summary agnoeó: To be ignorant, to not know, to be unaware Original Word: ἀγνοέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be ignorant, not know, not understandFrom a (as a negative particle) and noieo; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination) -- (be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown. see GREEK a see GREEK noieo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and the same as ginóskó Definition to be ignorant, not to know NASB Translation have no knowledge (1), ignorance (1), ignorant (2), ignorantly (1), know (2), knowing (2), recognize (1), recognized (1), recognizing (1), unaware (4), understand (2), uninformed (2), unknown (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 50: ἀγνοέωἀγνοέω (ΓΝΟ (cf. γινώσκω)), (ῶ (imperative, ἀγνοείτω 1 Corinthians 14:38 R G Tr text WH marginal reading); imperfect ἠγνόουν; 1 aorist ἠγνόησα; (passive, present ἀγνοοῦμαι, participle ἀγνοούμενος; from Homer down); a. to be ignorant, not to know: absolutely, 1 Timothy 1:13; τινα, τί, Acts 13:27; Acts 17:23; Romans 10:3; ἐν τίνι (as in Test. Jos. § 14 Fabricii Pseudepigr. ii., p. 717 (but the reading ἠγνόουν ἐπί πᾶσι τούτοις is now given here; see Test. xii. Patr. ad fid. manuscript Cant. etc., Sinker edition, Cambr. 1869)), 2 Peter 2:12, unless one prefer to resolve the expression thus: ἐν τούτοις, ἅ ἀγνοοῦσι βλασφημοῦντες, Winers Grammar, 629 (584) (cf. Buttmann, 287 (246)); followed by ὅτι, Romans 2:4; Romans 6:3; Romans 7:1; 1 Corinthians 14:38 (where the antecedent clause ὅτι κτλ. is to be supplied again); οὐ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, a phrase often used by Paul (an emphatic)scitote: followed by an accusative of the object, Romans 11:25; ὑπέρ τίνος, ὅτι, 2 Corinthians 1:8; περί τίνος, 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; followed by ὅτι, Romans 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:1; in the passive ἀγνοεῖται 'he is not known' i. e. according to the context 'he is disregarded,' 1 Corinthians 14:38 L T Tr marginal reading WH text; ἀγνωύμενοι (opposed to ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι men unknown, obscure, 2 Corinthians 6:9; ἀγνοούμενος τινι unknown to one, Galatians 1:22; οὐκ ἀγνοεῖν to know very well, τί, 2 Corinthians 2:11 (Wis. 12:10). b. not to understand: τί, Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45. c. to err, sin through mistake, spoken mildly of those who are not high-handed or willful transgressors (Sir. 5:15; 2 Macc. 11:31): Hebrews 5:2, on which see Delitzsch. The verb agnoeō (Strong’s Greek 50) describes a state of not knowing, failing to perceive, or being unaware of spiritual or factual realities. Twenty–two New Testament occurrences span the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline and General Epistles, and Hebrews, displaying both culpable and excusable ignorance. Ignorance as a Root of Unbelief Ignorance explains Jewish rejection of Messiah (Acts 13:27) and pagan idolatry (Acts 17:23). In both scenes the gospel confronts misplaced worship by unveiling the long-hidden plan of God. Paul affirms that even blasphemous opposition can be “shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13), echoing the Old Testament category of “sins committed unintentionally” yet requiring atonement. Paul’s Formula “I Do Not Want You to Be Ignorant” Five times Paul introduces vital instruction with this phrase: In each case ignorance threatens assurance, unity, or holiness, so the apostle remedies it with Spirit-given revelation. Ignorance and Self-Righteousness Romans 10:3 warns that “because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Here ignorance is neither innocent nor harmless; it hardens into self-reliance and unbelief. Romans 2:4 adds that failing to recognize God’s kindness leads to presuming upon His patience. The Disciples’ Misunderstanding of Jesus Mark 9:32 and Luke 9:45 record the Twelve as “not understanding” Jesus’ prediction of the cross. Their ignorance is temporary, dispelled after the resurrection, yet it illustrates the blindness even sincere followers may experience before the Spirit’s illumination. The Compassionate High Priest Toward the Ignorant Hebrews 5:2 portrays the Levitical high priest as “able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided,” prefiguring Christ’s perfect sympathy. The passage underscores pastoral gentleness toward believers who err from lack of understanding. Apostolic Ministry: Turning Ignorance to Knowledge Paul aims that “we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Ministry exposes satanic devices, clarifies hardships (2 Corinthians 6:9), and guards doctrine (Galatians 1:22). Peter contrasts false teachers who “blaspheme in matters they do not understand” (2 Peter 2:12) with believers growing in knowledge of the Lord. Pastoral Application 1. Preaching must unveil Christ from all Scripture, dispelling ignorance that obscures the gospel. Doctrinal Reflection Ignorance is a moral and spiritual deficiency healed only by divine revelation. Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, replaces darkness with light, rescues sinners from self-made righteousness, and equips saints for mature service. Thus every occurrence of agnoeō ultimately drives the church to proclaim and embody the saving knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Mark 9:32 V-IIA-3PGRK: οἱ δὲ ἠγνόουν τὸ ῥῆμα NAS: But they did not understand [this] statement, KJV: But they understood not that saying, INT: and they understood not the saying Luke 9:45 V-IIA-3P Acts 13:27 V-APA-NMP Acts 17:23 V-PPA-NMP Romans 1:13 V-PNA Romans 2:4 V-PPA-NMS Romans 6:3 V-PIA-2P Romans 7:1 V-PIA-2P Romans 10:3 V-PPA-NMP Romans 11:25 V-PNA 1 Corinthians 10:1 V-PNA 1 Corinthians 12:1 V-PNA 1 Corinthians 14:38 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 14:38 V-PIM/P-3S 2 Corinthians 1:8 V-PNA 2 Corinthians 2:11 V-PIA-1P 2 Corinthians 6:9 V-PPM/P-NMP Galatians 1:22 V-PPM/P-NMS 1 Thessalonians 4:13 V-PNA 1 Timothy 1:13 V-PPA-NMS Hebrews 5:2 V-PPA-DMP 2 Peter 2:12 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 50 |
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