Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Scope: In the biblical context, knowledge is more than the accumulation of facts or information; it encompasses a deep understanding and discernment of spiritual truths, moral principles, and the nature of God. It is both a divine gift and a human pursuit, integral to wisdom and righteousness. Old Testament Insights: The Hebrew word for knowledge, "da'ath," often implies an intimate understanding, as seen in Genesis 2:9, where the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" represents a profound moral awareness. Proverbs frequently extols the value of knowledge, linking it to wisdom and the fear of the Lord: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (Proverbs 1:7). Knowledge in the Old Testament is closely tied to obedience and covenantal faithfulness, as seen in Hosea 4:6: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." New Testament Perspectives: In the New Testament, the Greek term "gnosis" is used to describe knowledge. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge, particularly the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul prays for believers to be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding," highlighting the transformative power of divine knowledge. Knowledge is also a spiritual gift, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8, where it is given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church. Knowledge and Love: The New Testament warns against the potential pitfalls of knowledge without love. In 1 Corinthians 8:1, Paul states, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." This underscores the necessity of coupling knowledge with love and humility, ensuring that it serves to edify rather than inflate pride. The Role of Knowledge in Salvation: Knowledge is crucial in the context of salvation, as it involves understanding the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, involving a personal relationship with God through Christ. The Pursuit of Knowledge: Believers are encouraged to grow in knowledge, as seen in 2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is a lifelong process, involving study of the Scriptures, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of knowledge is not for its own sake but to deepen one's relationship with God and to live a life that reflects His character. Warnings Against False Knowledge: Scripture warns against false knowledge and teachings that lead away from the truth. In 1 Timothy 6:20-21, Paul cautions Timothy to avoid "profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called," which some have professed and thereby strayed from the faith. This highlights the importance of discernment and adherence to sound doctrine. Conclusion: While knowledge is highly valued in Scripture, it is always to be pursued in conjunction with wisdom, love, and obedience to God. It is a means to an end—the end being a deeper relationship with God and a life that glorifies Him. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.2. (v. i.) That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; -- chiefly used in the plural. 3. (v. i.) That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition. 4. (v. i.) That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life. 5. (v. i.) Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge. 6. (v. i.) Sexual intercourse; -- usually preceded by carnal; as, carnal knowledge. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KNOW; KNOWLEDGEno, nol'-ej (in Hebrew chiefly yadha`, noun da`ath; in Greek ginosko, oida' "to know fully," epiginosko, noun gnosis epignosis): Knowledge strictly is the apprehension by the mind of some fact or truth in accordance with its real nature; in a personal relation the intellectual act is necessarily conjoined with the element of affection and will (choice, love, favor, or, conversely, repugnance, dislike, etc.). Knowledge is distinguished from "opinion" by its greater certainty. The mind is constituted with the capacity for knowledge, and the desire to possess and increase it. The character of knowledge varies with its object. The senses give knowledge of outward appearances; the intellect connects and reasons about these appearances, and arrives at general laws or truths; moral truth is apprehended through the power inherently possessed by men of distinguishing right and wrong in the light of moral principles; spiritual qualities require for their apprehension spiritual sympathy ("They are spiritually judged," 1 Corinthians 2:14). The highest knowledge possible to man is the knowledge of God, and while there is that in God's infinity which transcends man's power of comprehension (Job 11:7, 9), God is knowable in the measure in which He has revealed Himself in creation (Romans 1:19, 20, "that which is known of God," etc.), and supremely in Jesus Christ, who alone perfectly knows the Father, and reveals Him to man (Matthew 11:27). This knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is "life eternal" (John 17:3). Knowledge is affirmed of both God and man, but with the wide contrast that God's knowledge is absolute, unerring, complete, intuitive, embracing all things, past, present, and future, and searching the inmost thoughts of the heart (Psalm 139:1, 23); whereas man's is partial, imperfect, relative, gradually acquired, and largely mixed with error ("Now we see in a mirror darkly.... in part," 1 Corinthians 13:12). All these points about knowledge are amply brought out in the Scripture usage of the terms. A large part of the usage necessarily relates to natural knowledge (sometimes with a carnal connotation, as Genesis 4:1, 17), but the greatest stress also is laid on the possession of moral and spiritual knowledge (e.g. Psalm 119:66 Proverbs 1:4, 7, 22, 29; Proverbs 8:10, etc.; Luke 1:77 Romans 15:14 2 Peter 1:5, 6). The highest knowledge, as said, is the knowledge of God and Christ, and of God's will (Hosea 6:6 Romans 11:33 Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 4:13 Philippians 1:9; Philippians 3:8 Colossians 1:9, 10, etc.). The moral conditions of spiritual knowledge are continually insisted on ("If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God," John 7:17). On the. other hand, the pride of intellectual knowledge is condemned; it must be joined with love ("Knowledge puffeth up, 1 Corinthians 8:1). The stronger term epignosis is used to denote the full and more perfect knowledge which is possessed in Christ, the conditions of which are humility and love. Of knowledge as connoting favor, choice, on the part of God, there are many examples (Psalm 1:6, Yahweh knoweth the way of the righteous"; Galatians 4:9, "know God, or rather to be known by God"; compare Romans 8:29, "whom he fore-knew").ectual knowledge as the Divine omnipotence is different from muscular strength. Consequently, the passage of this knowledge into a human intellect is impossible, and the problem of the incarnation should be stated: What effect did Divine omniscience in the person have on the conscious intellect of the manhood? There is so little help from the past to be gained in answering this question, that it must remain open at present-if, indeed, it is ever capable of a full answer. But that ignorance in the intellect of the manhood is fully consistent with omniscience in the person seems to be not merely a safe answer to the question as stated, but an inevitable answer if the true humanity of Christ is to be maintained at all. Greek 1108. gnosis -- a knowing, knowledge ... a knowing, knowledge. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gnosis Phonetic Spelling: (gno'-sis) Short Definition: knowledge, doctrine, wisdom ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1108.htm - 7k 1922. epignosis -- recognition, knowledge 4924a. sunoida -- to share the knowledge of 4691. spermologos -- a seed picker, fig. one who picks up scraps ... 4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet) ... 4924. sunoikeo -- to share the knowledge of 1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled 4907. sunesis -- a running together, spec. understanding 4461. rhabbi -- my master, my teacher 427. aneu -- without (preposition) Strong's Hebrew 1843. dea -- knowledge, opinion... 1842, 1843. dea. 1844 . knowledge, opinion. Transliteration: dea Phonetic Spelling: (day'-ah) Short Definition: knowledge. Word ... /hebrew/1843.htm - 6k 1844. deah -- knowledge 4486. manda -- knowledge, the power of knowing 1847. daath -- knowledge 4093. madda -- knowledge, thought 28. Abida -- "my father took knowledge," a son of Midian 3045. yada -- to know 5869. ayin -- an eye 998. binah -- an understanding 999. binah -- an understanding Library The Way to Divine Knowledge Whether this Knowledge was Habitual? A Key to the Knowledge of Church History The Knowledge of God Knowledge and Peace Whether Knowledge is a Gift? Whether this Knowledge is Collative? Whether the Knowledge of God is the Cause of Things? Preface. --The Knowledge of God is to be Sought from God. Whether the Gift of Knowledge is About Divine Things? Thesaurus Knowledge... 4. (vi) That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KNOW; KNOWLEDGE. ... /k/knowledge.htm - 12k Knowledge-surpassing (1 Occurrence) Know (8133 Occurrences) Science (1 Occurrence) Kenosis Samaritan (8 Occurrences) Attain (30 Occurrences) Cock's (7 Occurrences) Stupid (20 Occurrences) Anthropomorphism Resources What does the Bible say about knowledge? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is middle knowledge? | GotQuestions.org What is wisdom? What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? | GotQuestions.org Knowledge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Knowledge of God More than Burnt offering Knowledge of More Value than Gold Knowledge: "Now we Know in Part" Knowledge: The Earth Shall be Full of Knowledge: The Fear (Reverence) of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge: The Priest's Lips should Keep Knowledge: Those Who Reject are Destroyed Related Terms |
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