ἐπίγνωσις
Knowledge
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What does ἐπίγνωσις (epígnōsis) mean in the Bible?
ἐπίγνωσις (epígnōsis) is a Greek word meaning "knowledge". ἐπί-γνωσις, -εως, ἡ (ἐπιγινώσκω, which see), [in LXX: 3Ki. Through the law comes knowledge of sin, clarifying its exposing function. This term runs through the canonical themes of Justice, Redemption, Revelation.
Full entry for ἐπίγνωσις (G1922) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Deep, experiential knowledge gained through recognition and discernment, not mere intellectual awareness.
(ἐπιγινώσκω, which see), [in LXX: 3Ki.7:14 (B. γν-), Pro.2:5, Hos.4:1, 6 6:6 (דַּעַת), Jdth.9:14, 2Ma.9:11 * ;] acquaintance, discernment, recognition (Plut., al.): Php.1:9, Col.3:10; with genitive of thing(s), Col.1:9 2:2, Phm 6; τ. ἀληθείας, 1Ti.2:4, 2Ti.2:25 3:7, Tit.1:1, Heb.10:26; τ. ἁμαρτίας, Rom.3:20; with genitive of person(s), of God: Eph.1:17, Col.1:10, 2Pe.1:2-3; of Christ: Eph.4:13, 2Pe.1:8 2:20; of God and Christ: 2Pe.1:2; κατ ̓ ἐ., Rom.10:2; ἔχειν ἐν ἐ., Rom.1:28 (see AR, Eph., 248 ff.; and for a somewhat different view, Thayer, see word; Lft. on Col, 1:9; Tr., Syn., LXXv; Cremer, 159 f.; cf. αἴσθησις).
Why This Word Matters
Through the law comes knowledge of sin, clarifying its exposing function. 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Ensures love is governed by truth rather than sentiment. Colossians 1:9–14
Emphasizes informed accountability. Hebrews 10:26-31
Counters claims of secret insight and emphasizes comprehensive understanding of God’s will. Philippians 1:9–11
Salvation involves coming to a true understanding of the gospel, not mere intellectual awareness. Romans 3:9-20
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain