knowledge, understanding

Concise Bible Dictionary:

There are several Greek words translated “to know,” the principal of which are

(¹). οῖδα, signifying “inward conscious knowledge” in the mind; and

(²). γινώσκω, signifying “objective knowledge.” The latter passes into consciousness, but not vice versa. There are several passages in the New Testament in which both words occur, a study of which will show that the words are not used promiscuously, and need to be carefully considered.

Matt. 24:43⁴³But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (Matthew 24:43). Know²² this, that if the goodman of the house had known¹ in what watch the thief would come, &c. The same distinction occurs in Luke 12:39³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. (Luke 12:39).

Mark 4:13¹³And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (Mark 4:13). Know¹ ye not this parable? and how then will ye know² all parables?

John 7:27²⁷Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. (John 7:27). We know¹ this man whence He is; but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth² whence He is.

John 8:55⁵⁵Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. (John 8:55). Ye have not known² Him; but I know¹ Him; and if I should say, I know¹ Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know¹ Him, and keep His saying.

John 13:7⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. (John 13:7). What I do thou knowest¹ not now; but thou shalt know² hereafter.

John 21:17¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17). Lord, thou knowest¹ all things; Thou knowest² that I love Thee.

Rom. 7:7⁷What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7). I had not known² sin, but by the law: for I had not known¹ lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

1 Cor. 8:1-2¹Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. ²And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:1‑2). We know¹ that we all have knowledge². Knowledge² puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth¹ [Editors alter this into ²] anything, he knoweth² nothing yet as he ought to know².

2 Cor. 5:16¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2 Corinthians 5:16). Henceforth know¹ we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known² Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know² we Him no more.

Heb. 8:11¹¹And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11). They shall not teach.... saying, Know² the Lord: for all shall know¹ Me, from the least to the greatest.

1 John 2:29²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1 John 2:29). If ye know¹ that He is righteous, ye know² that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.

1 John 5:20²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20). We know¹ that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know² Him that is true.

Both these words are employed for the Lord’s own knowledge. In Matthew 12:15¹⁵But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; (Matthew 12:15), Jesus knew² (that they were plotting to destroy Him) having heard it. And in Matthew 12:25²⁵And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25) Jesus knew¹ their thoughts—had the conscious knowledge of it. Respecting our knowledge of the person of Christ, in Luke 10:22²²All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. (Luke 10:22), no one knows² who the Son is except the Father; but in Matthew 11:27²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27), which is a parallel passage, neither of the above words are used, but ἐπιγινώσκω, which implies a certain objective knowledge, not a mere acquaintance with a person. The knowledge that is partial, and that shall vanish away, is the objective knowledge (1 Cor. 13:8-9⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. ⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (1 Corinthians 13:8‑9)); not the inward conscious knowledge. In 1 Corinthians 13:12¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) it is real knowledge in the future, ἐπιγινώσκω. The words—both (¹) and (²)—often occur separately in John’s gospel and epistles, and their use may be profitably studied in a Greek Testament or Concordance.

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:

4907 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Greek:

σύνεσις

Transliteration:

sunesis

Phonic:

soon’-es-is

Meaning:

from 4920; a mental putting together, i.e. intelligence or (concretely) the intellect

KJV Usage:

knowledge, understanding