Justin Matthew Reid

Bible Teachings - Do you know "know"?

Hello saints,

Recently I was investigating the various Greek words that are translated "know" in the KJV Bible. There are several Greek nouns and verbs that are translated "knowledge" or "know", but these 4 are the ones I'm sharing with you now:

Greek word, Strong's number, definition:

ginosko 1097 - to know
epiginosko 1921 - to know fully, to know thoroughly, fully perceive, to know well
gnosis 1108 - knowledge, understanding
epignosis 1922 - precise and correct knowledge, exact or full knowledge

In both cases, the prefix "epi-" is added to ginosko and gnosis to make an intensive form of the word. The KJV translators (in nearly all cases) did not translate ginosko and epiginosko or gnosis and epignosis differently. Praise God for all the Greek study tools that are available to us today! I'll point out a few of my favorite scriptures that use these "know" Greek words.

1 Corinthians 13:12

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know (ginosko) in part; but then shall I know (epiginosko) even as also I am known (epiginosko)."

Paul explains the difference between a general knowledge in this present world, with a full and complete knowledge in the world to come.

2 Peter 2:20-21

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge (epignosis) of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known (epiginosko) the way of righteousness, than, after they have known (epiginosko) it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

Peter explains the unthinkable thought of saints with full knowledge of Christ deciding to go back into the world.

Romans 1:28

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (epignosis), God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

Imagine the end of religious "Christians" who don't want God to be *completely* part of their life in a full and complete understanding of Christ.

Luke 23:6-7

"When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew (epiginosko) that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time."

When Pilate fully knew that Jesus was Galilean, he sent Him to Herod.

Romans 10:2

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge (epignosis)."

Without Christ, Jews don't have a full and complete understanding of God.

Mark 6:33

"And the people saw them departing, and many knew (epiginosko) Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto Him."

When the people fully knew it was Jesus, they made haste unto Him.

Luke 5:22-23

"But when Jesus perceived (epiginosko) their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?"

The Holy Spirit gave Jesus a complete understanding of the Pharisees' thoughts.

Matthew 11:27

"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth (epiginosko) the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth (epiginosko) any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."

Jesus Christ and the Father fully know one another. How exciting to see that Jesus Christ gives us a full understanding of the Father, if we're in Christ!

Acts 4:13

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge (epiginosko) of them, that they had been with Jesus."

The boldness of Peter and John let the people fully and completely know that they had indeed been with Jesus! If we truly belong to Christ, this present world should see Christ in us as well!

Well, that's just a start. Below I'll list all the appearances of epiginosko and epignosis in the NT. You may want to mark your Bible where these words appear. It can only serve to give us a better understanding of God's Word!

In Christ,
Justin

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epiginosko 1921:

knew (14):

Matthew 17:12
Mark 6:33
Mark 6:54
Luke 7:37
Luke 23:7
Luke 24:31
Acts 3:10
Acts 9:30
Acts 12:14
Acts 19:34
Acts 22:29
Acts 27:39
Acts 28:1
Colossians 1:6

know (8):

Matthew 7:16
Matthew 7:20
Luke 1:4
Luke 24:16
Acts 22:24
1 Corinthians 13:12 (2nd know)
2 Corinthians 13:5
1 Timothy 4:3

acknowledge (4):

1 Corinthians 14:37
1 Corinthians 16:18
2 Corinthians 1:13 (twice)

known (3):

1 Corinthians 13:12
2 Peter 2:21 (twice)

perceived (3):

Mark 2:8
Luke 1:22
Luke 5:22

knoweth (2):

Matthew 11:27 (twice)

knowing (2):

Mark 5:30
Romans 1:32
acknowledged (1):

2 Corinthians 1:14

had knowledge (1):

Matthew 14:35

knowest (1):

Acts 25:10

knowledge (1):

Acts 24:8

took knowledge (1):

Acts 4:13

well known (1):

2 Corinthians 6:9

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epignosis 1922:

knowledge (16):

Romans 1:28
Romans 3:20
Romans 10:2
Ephesians 1:17
Ephesians 4:13
Philippians 1:9
Colossians 1:9
Colossians 1:10
Colossians 3:10
1 Timothy 2:4
2 Timothy 3:7
Hebrews 10:26
2 Peter 1:2
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:8
2 Peter 2:20

acknowledging (3):

2 Timothy 2:25
Titus 1:1
Philemon 1:6

acknowledgement (1):

Colossians 2:2

February 10th, 2006