There’s Knowing – and Then There’s Knowing

Yesterday, at a gathering in The Hague, I spoke on the theme above. I focused on the meaning of the Greek word ‘epi-gnosis’, which is frequently used in the ‘New Testament’ and is translated as: acknowledgment, recognition, full knowledge, correct knowledge, etc. It refers to something that presupposes knowledge but goes beyond it. It is more than information or theory. It denotes awareness, consciousness, or realization of information.

An example: I know that Mont Blanc is almost 5 kilometers high. That is information. But this knowledge becomes ‘epi-gnosis’ when I become conscious of it. When, for example, I imagine what it would be like to climb a mountain 5 kilometers high. How long would that take me? What would the view be like if I were standing at the summit? Etc.

Knowledge begins with taking in information. But as long as it remains merely information, it will have no impact. That comes only when the information is ‘processed.’ Made your own. When you begin to realize (epi-gnosis) what this information means.

It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ conquered death on the third day. But do we realize it too? Every believer knows that Christ Jesus is the Savior of the world (well, do they?). But do we realize it too? Every Christian knows that God has everything in His hand. But do we realize it too? That God’s love is boundless is Bible 101. But do we realize it too?

And ultimately, it is this epi-gnosis that matters. Hence Paul’s prayer, after he had opened the doors of God’s treasury,

…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him (epi-gnosis!): the eyes of your heart enlightened, so that you perceive what expectation His calling awakens, how rich the glory of His allotment among the saints is, and how overwhelmingly great His power is… Ephesians 1:17-19

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