Epignōsis: How it benefits us

Epignōsis

Epignōsis is ‘the exact knowledge of the truth‘. Today,  I thought we would consult the word of God to see what Epignōsis   is and how it benefits us.

Col 1:9 KJV+ For^G1223 this cause^G5124 we^G2249 also,^G2532 since^G575 the^(G3739) day^G2250 we heard^G191
it, do not^G3756 cease^G3973 to pray^G4336 for^G5228 you,^G5216 and^G2532 to desire^G154 that^G2443 ye might be filled^G4137 with the^G3588 knowledge^G1922 of his^G846 will^G2307 in^G1722 all^G3956 wisdom^G4678  and^G2532  spiritual^G4152 understanding;^G4907

The word knowledge used in this scripture is Epignōsis in the original with reference number G1922 attached to it. This reference number helps us locate the Greek word and its corresponding definition in the Greek Bible Dictionary.

Epignōsis Defined

Thayer’s Greek Definitions defines Epignōsis as precise and correct knowledge. It is used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine. Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary defines Epignōsis asrecognition, that is, (by implication) FULL discernment, acknowledgement.

It is therefore no wonder that the Amplified Bible states the verse as follows:

Col 1:9 AMP For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in ALL spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things

Paul is saying for us to live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing him and being fruitful in His plan for our lives, we need Epignōsis i.e. the exact, full, precise, deep, clear and unadulterated knowledge of the Truth. This is not just mental comprehension. Epignōsis is far superior than mere intellectual knowledge. It is divine and exact knowledge in fullness. God has made this available for whoever will believe the word and accept it. This type of knowledge has its source in God himself.

If it were not possible to receive such knowledge this passage will not be in the scriptures and it would not have been Paul’s prayer for his disciples to live like this. It is very possible to have such knowledge once we take our eyes off our limitations as descendants of the first Adam and see ourselves as descendants of the last Adam who have been given the Spirit of God to lead us into ALL truth. It is only by this knowledge (Epignōsis) of the Truth that liberty comes to us. We shall know the truth and the Truth shall set us free.

Epignōsis transforms us

Epignōsis is the tool which God uses to transform, metamorphose or transfigure our new man or our born-again spirits into looking more and more like Jesus. It is the tool God uses to bring us into the fullness of the stature of Christ.

Col 3:10 KJV  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Col 3:10 AMP  And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image(the likeness) of Him Who created it. [Gen. 1:26.]

So our new man is in the process of being renewed into the fullness of the stature of Christ or into the image of our Creator i.e. God Almighty. But by what agency are we being transformed? The answer is by knowledge.  What type of knowledge is this? The anwer is Epignōsis!  What is Epignōsis? It is fuller and more perfect knowledge knowledge ge of the Truth. That is why the scripture teaches us that :

2Co 3:18  And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as ina mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.

What does this mean? It simply means that the Word is a Mirror which shows us who we are called to be in Christ—the image of God in its perfection. As we look into this mirror and see who we are called to be, our present reality is transfigured in increasing measure to become what we see in the scriptures. We become what we see. That is why it is very important what we read and watch. Col 3:10 tells us that God uses Epignōsis or knowledge of Truth gained from looking into the perfect law of liberty i.e. the scriptures to transform our inner man from Glory to Glory.

That is the purpose of this blog, to help us all look into the mirror of the Word and help us to get transformed into the very fullness of the stature of Christ. Amen. God bless you.