Epignosis
Epignosis translates as “knowledge,” or, more deeply, “conscious knowledge” in the New Testament. Knowledge is a necessary platform for doctrine; our feelings simply cannot apprehend the Word of God. The Word, or logos, is presented to the mind and is to be apprehended with the mind. Pastor Peter Masters of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle expands on this idea in an excellent hermeneutical study on this subject in a recent Trinity Review.
Anti-intellectualism dominates religious profession entirely too often. If true Christianity is to be properly represented, Christians must be willing and competent to engage their minds. Only the knowledge–not a sense or a feeling–of the God of the Bible is the foundation of Christianity.
Christian philosopher Gordon Clark writes,
“…the anti-intellectualism of the present age, which has infected the majority of Christians, needs to be combatted by pointing out the New Testament’s recurring emphasis on knowledge. As Peter says (2 Peter 1:3), all things that pertain to godliness come through knowledge (epignosis).” (Gordon Clark: Ephesians, 1:15-17)
The heart in the New Testament stands for the mind or intellect. (ibid., 1:18) …the eyes of your heart having been enlightened in order that you might know what is the hope of his calling…(Ephesians 1:18) The New Testament consistently represents the heart as the center of knowing, not of emotion. God manifest himself in His Word, that we might know Him whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). The Apostle John affirms that we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true (1 John 5:20). The understanding we are given is given to our minds as we hear the Word preached and as we read the written Word. There is simply no Scriptural authority for an emotional Christianity.
Hi, I enjoyed reading your post.
A few things I would like to add… in Eph 1:18 you wrote ‘the eyes of your heart’ not ‘eyes of your understanding’ The greek word used for ‘understanding’ here is not ‘kardia’ (heart) like you wrote, but ‘dianoia’ which is ‘deep thought, faculty of the mind’ [para]. in Strong’s #G1271.
In the NT, the most often word used for ‘heart’ is ‘kardia’ (Strong’s #G2588), which means thoughts or feelings, as well as ‘middle’ or is used with other words (as in ‘broken hearted’ etc). The other word used is ‘psuche’ which implies: breath, spirit, soul, heart [para]. Look up Strong’s #G5590.
There are also many words used for ‘know’… again in the example you put up in Eph 1:18 (…that you might know…) the greek word is ‘eido’ (Strong’s #G1492) , which implies to see, perceive, to be aware of, behold, etc. This is a different implication to ‘epignosis’ (Strong’s #G1922) which is ‘recognition, full discernment and acknowledgement’.
Just one thing… the Logos of God is vital, I totally agree with you! However, you have negated Rhema of God. What is your thoughts on rhema? I would love to hear more from you.
I applaud your zeal for God, God bless you.
Angie
Angie,
What a refreshing commenter you are. Thank you. I’m using my 4th Revised Edition of the UBS Greek New Testament, and unlike the Textus Receptus, it has–kardias! Dianoia does not occur in this edition of the Greek in this verse. It does occur in other places, which are cited in Pastor Master’s fine article, and it is my favorite word!
I rely on a Greek lexicon rather than Strong’s, but my unfortunate general rule has been, “a word means what your lexicographer says it means.” So I have the best lexicon I could get. I audited NT Greek for three semesters at a Reformed seminary and loved it, but have a rank beginner’s knowledge. I’m not sure what translation Clark was using, but the text I quoted was taken directly from his own citation, hence “heart.” There is textual variation here.
Ouido and gnosko are sometimes used almost interchangeably; epignosko is more intensive.
Ouch, how have I negated the rhema? I didn’t mention it only because I was quoting Clark in Ephesians, where it does not occur. In Matthew 4:4 and John 6:69, rhamati clearly is used in the context of words of life and spirit. Romans 10:17 also refers to the word of Christ as rhema. There is a textual variant here: the TR uses God instead of Christ. So yes, rhema is the word, but not in the particular text I was citing. I certainly harbor nothing against it!
Thanks so much for your contribution. God keep you.
Susanna
Thanks for the reply… I was a bit confused by the orginal article… guess it gets hard to concentrate with the kiddlywinks lol.
I should have used a better word than “negated”… sorry, my bad! I meant to come across that you didn’t touch on it, that’s all :-)
Thanx for the clarification, now I see how u got there!
Wonderful job, and may God continue to bless you richly,
Angie
Thanks, Angie. I appreciate that you got me to haul out my hefty Danker lexicon again and read through the rhema entry. The God in whose hand our breath is means so much in every word, logos or rhema.
Please come again!
Sushie