LIVING IT OUT · THE WALK WITH GOD — CRAWL, WALK, RUN, FINISH
Knowledge — Foundational Biblical Doctrine
OPENING WORD
Knowledge is not born in a person; it must be found. And the finding is a walk. A child does not walk in a day: first he crawls, and everything is new to him; he learns his father's voice and his father's face. Then he is taught to walk, step by step, and he walks, and the layout of the house becomes familiar to him. Then he grows, and he runs; and the person who runs well runs a race, and the race has an end, and at the end a prize. The knowledge of God is like that. The Hebrew word is daath (H1847, knowledge), and it comes from yada (H3045, to know) — Strong's says, to know properly by seeing, to be acquainted — the knowing of a familiar friend, not just book learning. The Greek word is gnosis (G1108, knowledge), from ginosko (G1097, to know). Notice this carefully before you begin: in scripture, knowledge is first of all the knowing of a Person. This study carries knowledge through a person's whole journey: how he finds it when he can only crawl and cry out for it; what he does with it once he has it; how he runs with it, and offers it up like a soldier in God's army; and what becomes of it at the finish line, where he will know even as he himself is known, and where the word of our God stands forever. Search it out.
THREE QUESTIONS THIS STUDY ANSWERS:
1. Where is knowledge found, and how does a person first come to it?
2. What should a person do with knowledge once they have it, and how is it kept in the daily walk?
3. How does the race end — what becomes of knowledge at the finish line, and what word lasts forever?
(My personal thoughts — notice how the word is built. gnosis (G1108, knowledge) comes from ginosko (G1097, to know), and Strong's says ginosko is to know absolutely — to be aware, to perceive, to understand. And gnosis has a greater companion in scripture: epignosis (G1922, knowledge), from epiginosko (G1921, to know fully) — Strong's calls it recognition, full discernment, acknowledgement. The first is knowing; the second is knowing made FULL. Watch the tags through this study: we grow in gnosis, we are filled with epignosis — and at the finish line, I will know even as I myself am known.)
(My personal thoughts — daath (H1847, knowledge) comes from yada (H3045, to know) — and deah (H1844, knowledge) is closely related to it, both coming from that one root — and Strong's says yada is properly to know by SEEING — to be acquainted, as with a familiar friend. The knowledge of God in the Old Testament is not distant learning; it is a close knowing. And notice why this word stands where it stands: through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established, and by KNOWLEDGE the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Wisdom builds the house; daath fills the rooms. Knowledge is the treasure carried in.)
1. CRAWLING — HOW TO FIND IT
(My personal thoughts — every walk begins low, and so does knowledge. No one is born knowing God; he must FIND him. And notice where the book says the finding begins: at the fear of the LORD. A baby cries for what he does not have, and the LORD hears the cry for knowledge — daath (H1847, knowledge) — the way a father hears his own child. Cry, seek, search: the promise is to the seeker, and the giver is God.)
1.Proverbs 1:7Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The fear [H3374 yirah] of the LORD is the beginning [H7225 reshith] of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
THE FEAR OF THE LORD = THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE.
2.Proverbs 2:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Yea, if thou criest [H7121 qara] after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
IF THOU CRIEST AFTER KNOWLEDGE + LIFTEST UP THY VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING.
3.Proverbs 2:4Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗If thou seekest [H1245 baqash] her as silver, and searchest [H2664 chaphas] for her as for hid treasures;
SEEK HER AS SILVER + SEARCH FOR HER AS FOR HID TREASURES.
4.Proverbs 2:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find [H4672 matsa] the knowledge of God.
THEN SHALT THOU UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD + FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
(My personal thoughts — notice the order of the crawling: cry, lift up your voice, seek, search — THEN find. And see the tag in scripture B: the word there is biynah (H998, understanding). The cry for knowledge and the cry for understanding are one cry. The person who seeks knowledge the way people seek silver will find a treasure greater than silver: the knowledge of GOD.)
5.Proverbs 2:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the LORD giveth [H5414 nathan] wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
THE LORD GIVETH WISDOM + OUT OF HIS MOUTH COMETH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.
6.James 1:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask [G154 aiteo] of God, that giveth [G1325 didomi] to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY + IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM.
(My personal thoughts — set Solomon and James side by side: the LORD gives wisdom, says one; ask of God, who gives to everyone generously, says the other. The finding is not a purchase. Out of HIS mouth comes knowledge; the seeker is only a receiver with open hands.)
7.Proverbs 18:15Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The heart of the prudent getteth [H7069 qanah]knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
THE HEART OF THE PRUDENT GETTETH KNOWLEDGE + THE EAR OF THE WISE SEEKETH KNOWLEDGE.
8.Psalm 94:10Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth [H3925 lamad] man knowledge, shall not he know?
HE THAT TEACHETH MAN KNOWLEDGE, SHALL NOT HE KNOW?
9.Psalm 25:9Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The meek [H6035 anav] will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach [H3925 lamad] his way.
THE MEEK WILL HE GUIDE IN JUDGMENT + THE MEEK WILL HE TEACH HIS WAY.
10.Hosea 6:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
THEN SHALL WE KNOW + IF WE FOLLOW ON TO KNOW THE LORD.
(My personal thoughts — here is the child's first movement: he follows. radaph (H7291, to follow on) is Strong's word for chasing hard after something. The baby knows his father by following him around the house. The knowing of the LORD is like that: not won in a day, but given to the one who follows on.)
11.John 7:17Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine [G1322 didache], whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL → HE SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE.
12.Matthew 11:29Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Take my yoke upon you, and learn [G3129 manthano] of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find [G2147 heurisko] rest unto your souls.
TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU + LEARN OF ME → YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS.
(My personal thoughts — the crawling ends at a Person. The Lord does not say, learn from my book only; he says, learn from ME. And the doing comes before the knowing — if anyone is willing to DO his will, he will KNOW about the teaching — the way a child walks before he understands walking. Now that you have found him, get up and walk.)
2. WALKING — WHAT TO DO WITH IT WHEN THOU HAST IT
(My personal thoughts — the baby is on his feet; now comes the keeping. Knowledge that is found must be stored up, and knowledge that is stored up must be lived out. Notice the two tasks of this stage in the witnesses: GROW it, and KEEP it. And notice the warning placed in the middle: knowledge held by itself puffs a person up; knowledge held together with love builds him up, and his brother along with him.)
1.2 Peter 3:18Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But grow [G837 auxano] in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
GROW IN GRACE + IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.
2.2 Peter 1:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And beside this, giving all diligence [G4710 spoude], add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
GIVING ALL DILIGENCE + ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE + TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE.
3.Proverbs 10:14Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Wise men lay upknowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
WISE MEN LAY UP KNOWLEDGE.
(My personal thoughts — tsaphan (H6845, to lay up) is Strong's word for hiding a treasure. It is the very word of the psalm, your word I have hidden in my heart. The wise man stores knowledge up where no thief can reach: inside himself. The heart is the chest for this treasure.)
4.Proverbs 15:14Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The heart [H3820 leb] of him that hath understanding seeketh [H1245 baqash]knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
THE HEART OF HIM THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING SEEKETH KNOWLEDGE.
5.Colossians 1:9Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled [G4137 pleroo] with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL + IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.
6.Colossians 1:10Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗That ye might walk [G4043 peripateo] worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing [G837 auxano] in the knowledge of God;
WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD UNTO ALL PLEASING + INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
(My personal thoughts — see the tags, and notice the greater word. In Peter it was gnosis (G1108, knowledge), the knowing; here it is epignosis (G1922, knowledge), which Strong's calls recognition, full discernment, acknowledgement — the knowing made full. And notice how it grows full: walk worthy, be fruitful, and the increase comes IN the walking. Knowledge is not kept in a seat; it is kept on the road.)
7.Philippians 1:9Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And this I pray, that your love may abound [G4052 perisseuo] yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
THAT YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND YET MORE AND MORE + IN KNOWLEDGE AND IN ALL JUDGMENT.
8.1 Corinthians 8:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth [G3618 oikodomeo].
KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP + CHARITY EDIFIETH.
(My personal thoughts — here stands the warning of the whole stage. Knowledge held by itself puffs up, the way wind fills a wineskin; love builds, the way a person builds a house. And Paul prays that LOVE may grow more and more in knowledge — love carrying knowledge, knowledge held within love. Walk with both, or the walk goes crooked.)
9.Proverbs 3:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [H3474 yashar] thy paths.
IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM + HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.
(My personal thoughts — the walking use of knowledge is here in one line. Acknowledge is yada (H3045, to know): KNOW him in all your ways — in the field, in the house, at the gate — and he makes the path straight in front of you.)
10.Psalm 119:66Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Teach [H3925 lamad] me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
TEACH ME GOOD JUDGMENT AND KNOWLEDGE + I HAVE BELIEVED THY COMMANDMENTS.
11.Hosea 4:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗My people are destroyed [H1820 damah] for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
(My personal thoughts — hear both sides, and walk between them. Where knowledge is thrown away, a people is destroyed; where knowledge is kept, a person gains strength — koach (H3581, strength). The keeping of knowledge is no small thing: it is life to a people and strength to a person. And the strength is given for a reason. There is a race to run.)
3. RUNNING THE RACE — YIELD IT LIKE A SOLDIER IN GOD'S ARMY
(My personal thoughts — now the walk becomes a race, and the race a war. Notice what the war is fought OVER in these witnesses: every high thing lifts itself up against the KNOWLEDGE of God — the battlefield here is knowledge itself. So the man of God takes the sword of the Spirit, keeps knowledge on his lips, and gives his answer with gentleness and respect. The soldier offers up what he has stored away.)
1.2 Corinthians 10:4Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗(For the weapons [G3696 hoplon] of our warfare [G4752 strateia] are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL + MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONG HOLDS.
2.2 Corinthians 10:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought [G3540 noema] to the obedience of Christ;
CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS + EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD + BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT.
3.2 Corinthians 4:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For God, who commanded the light [G5457 phos] to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD + IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
(My personal thoughts — the soldier carries a light, not just a sword. The same God who commanded light to shine out of darkness in the beginning has shone IN OUR HEARTS; and the light he gives is the light of the knowledge of his glory, in the face of Jesus Christ. The person who has seen that face has something to hold out to those who sit in darkness.)
4.Ephesians 6:17Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword [G3162 machaira] of the Spirit, which is the word [G4487 rhema] of God:
TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION + THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.
5.Malachi 2:7Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the priest's lips should keepknowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
THE PRIEST'S LIPS SHOULD KEEP KNOWLEDGE + HE IS THE MESSENGER OF THE LORD OF HOSTS.
(My personal thoughts — shamar (H8104, to keep) is the watchman's word: to guard, the way a person guards a city. Knowledge is kept on the LIPS as well as in the heart — kept ready, kept true, kept for those who come seeking the law from his mouth. And notice what the keeper is called: malak (H4397, messenger). The person who keeps knowledge is a sent man.)
6.Proverbs 15:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The tongue [H3956 lashon] of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
THE TONGUE OF THE WISE USETH KNOWLEDGE ARIGHT.
7.1 Peter 3:15Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer [G627 apologia] to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope [G1680 elpis] that is in you with meekness and fear:
BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN + WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR.
8.2 Timothy 2:15Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD + RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.
(My personal thoughts — the soldier's training is study. spoudazo (G4704, study) is Strong's to be diligent, to make speed; and orthotomeo (G3718, rightly dividing) is to make a straight cut. A workman cuts straight, or he is ashamed of his work. Handle the word straight, and you do not need to be ashamed before God or other people.)
9.Daniel 11:32Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong [H2388 chazaq], and do exploits.
THE PEOPLE THAT DO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL BE STRONG, AND DO EXPLOITS.
10.2 Timothy 2:24Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And the servant [G1401 doulos] of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach [G1317 didaktikos], patient,
THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE + BE GENTLE UNTO ALL MEN, APT TO TEACH.
11.2 Timothy 2:25Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗In meekness [G4236 praotes] instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
IN MEEKNESS INSTRUCTING THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES → REPENTANCE TO THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF THE TRUTH.
(My personal thoughts — notice the soldier's manner. His weapons are mighty, yet he does not quarrel; he is gentle, and instructs with meekness. And see the tag: the acknowledging is epignosis (G1922, knowledge), the full knowing — and GOD gives it. We can tear down the high thing; we cannot open the heart. The servant teaches; the Lord gives the knowing.)
12.1 Corinthians 9:26Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗I therefore so run [G5143 trecho], not as uncertainly; so fight [G4438 pukteuo] I, not as one that beateth the air:
SO RUN, NOT AS UNCERTAINLY + SO FIGHT, NOT AS ONE THAT BEATETH THE AIR.
(My personal thoughts — here the runner and the soldier stand in one place, and knowledge is what separates them from the fool. Paul runs NOT AS UNCERTAINLY — he knows the way and the end. He does not fight the air — he knows the enemy and the weapon. The person who knows whom he has believed runs a known road. The finish line is in front of you.)
4. THE FINISH LINE — KNOWLEDGE, AND THE WORD, ABIDETH FOR EVER
(My personal thoughts — every race has an end, and this end is not a wall; it is a face. Notice what the witnesses say is waiting beyond the line: the earth full of the knowledge of the LORD, everyone knowing him from the least to the greatest, and the part made whole — face to face, known even as we are known. And beneath it all stands the word that promised it, which will stand forever.)
1.Isaiah 11:9Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full [H4390 male] of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
THE EARTH SHALL BE FULL OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD.
2.Habakkuk 2:14Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the earth shall be filled [H4390 male] with the knowledge of the glory [H3519 kabod] of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD.
(My personal thoughts — two prophets, one line, and a growing word. Isaiah says deah (H1844, knowledge) — the knowledge of the LORD; Habakkuk says the knowing — yada (H3045, to know) — of the GLORY of the LORD. And where is that glory seen? The apostle has already told us: the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. The earth will be filled with what the soldier now carries in his heart.)
3.Jeremiah 31:34Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive [H5545 salach] their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM UNTO THE GREATEST + I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY.
5.1 Corinthians 13:10Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But when that which is perfect [G5046 teleios] is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME → THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY.
6.1 Corinthians 13:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For 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.
NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY; BUT THEN FACE TO FACE + THEN SHALL I KNOW EVEN AS ALSO I AM KNOWN.
(My personal thoughts — see the two tags in one place, and hear the finish line. Now I know is ginosko (G1097, to know); then I will know is epiginosko (G1921, to know fully) — the very fullness we were being filled toward the whole way. Knowledge in part is not lost at the line; the PART is done away because the whole has come. The mirror is taken down, and the face is there.)
7.2 Timothy 1:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed [G4100 pisteuo], and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED + HE IS ABLE TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE COMMITTED UNTO HIM AGAINST THAT DAY.
(My personal thoughts — the know-word here is eido (G1492, to know), which Strong's says is properly to SEE. At the end of his race Paul's knowing is a seeing: I know WHOM — not just what, but WHOM. The finish line of knowledge is not a fact you hold; it is a Person you see.)
8.John 17:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And this is life [G2222 zoe] eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL → THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST.
9.Colossians 2:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗In whom are hid [G614 apokruphos] all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
IN WHOM ARE HID ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.
(My personal thoughts — remember the crawling: seek her like silver, search as for hidden treasures. Here at the end the treasures are found, and notice WHERE: in HIM. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, hidden in Christ. The seeker was never seeking only a thing; he was seeking a Person all along, and in him nothing is lacking.)
10.Isaiah 40:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word [H1697 dabar] of our God shall stand [H6965 qum] for ever.
THE GRASS WITHERETH, THE FLOWER FADETH + THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOR EVER.
11.Psalm 119:160Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Thy word [H1697 dabar] is true [H571 emeth] from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
THY WORD IS TRUE FROM THE BEGINNING + ENDURETH FOR EVER.
12.Matthew 24:35Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Heaven and earth shall pass away [G3928 parerchomai], but my words [G3056 logos] shall not pass away.
HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY + MY WORDS SHALL NOT PASS AWAY.
(My personal thoughts — human flesh is grass, and the race passes; heaven and earth themselves will pass away; but his words will not pass away. Everything you have learned about him from this book lasts, because the book lasts. The person who runs after the knowledge of God runs after what stands forever — and he will know even as he himself is known.)
MOUTH OF TWO
Jeremiah 9:24Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But let him that glorieth [H1984 halal] glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
LET HIM THAT GLORIETH GLORY IN THIS + THAT HE UNDERSTANDETH AND KNOWETH ME.
Philippians 3:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency [G5242 huperecho] of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSS + FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD.
1 John 5:20Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding [G1271 dianoia], 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.
THE SON OF GOD IS COME + HATH GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM THAT IS TRUE.
2 Corinthians 13:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses [G3144 martus] shall every word be established.
IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES SHALL EVERY WORD BE ESTABLISHED.
(My personal thoughts — three witnesses, and each one sets the knowing of HIM above everything else. Jeremiah says, let the one who boasts boast in this: that he knows me. Paul counts everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. John says, the Son has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. Glory, gain, and life — in the mouth of two or three witnesses it is established: to know HIM is the treasure.)
THE SHADOW AND THE FULFILLMENT
13.Hosea 6:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
FOLLOW ON TO KNOW THE LORD + HIS GOING FORTH IS PREPARED AS THE MORNING.
14.Matthew 11:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗All 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 [G601 apokalupto] him.
NO MAN KNOWETH THE FATHER, SAVE THE SON + HE TO WHOMSOEVER THE SON WILL REVEAL HIM.
15.2 Corinthians 4:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS + THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
(My personal thoughts — Hosea said, follow on to know the LORD, and his coming is as certain as the morning. The morning came. No one knows the Father except through the Son's revealing; and God, who commanded light out of darkness in the beginning, has shone in our hearts — and the light is the knowledge of his glory in the FACE of Jesus Christ. The knowing that Hosea followed after now has a face and a name.)
CLOSING
Isaiah 54:13Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
ALL THY CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD + GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF THY CHILDREN.
John 6:45Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught [G1318 didaktos] of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned [G3129 manthano] of the Father, cometh unto me.
THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD + EVERY MAN THAT HATH HEARD, AND HATH LEARNED OF THE FATHER, COMETH UNTO ME.
(My personal thoughts — now gather the whole way home. First the crawling: the fear of the LORD is the beginning; cry, seek, search as for silver, and the LORD gives — out of his mouth comes knowledge. Then the walking: grow in it, store it up in the heart, walk worthy, and let love grow in it, so that it does not puff up. Then the race and the war: tear down every high thing set against the knowledge of God, keep it on your lips, give your answer with meekness, cut the word straight. Then the finish line: the part done away, the face seen, known even as you yourself are known, and all the treasures found hidden in Christ — and the word that promised it all stands forever. And see the tag in Isaiah: limmud (H3928, taught) is Strong's word for a taught one, a disciple. The one who taught you your first steps teaches you still, and your children after you — they will ALL be taught of God. Everyone who has learned from the Father comes to HIM. Follow on to know the LORD.)
GREEK KEYWORDS
These are the keywords for this study. Tap any dotted word in the verses above to see its meaning here.
“knowledge” — G1108 gnosis — knowing (the act); knowledge, science
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
“know” — G1097 ginosko — to know; be aware, perceive, understand
this is life eternal, that they might know you
“knowledge” — G1922 epignosis — full knowledge, acknowledging
filled with the knowledge of his will
“know” — G1921 epiginosko — to know fully, perceive, acknowledge
then shall I know even as also I am known
“study” — G4704 spoudazo — be diligent, endeavour, labour
study to show yourself approved to God
“rightly dividing” — G3718 orthotomeo — rightly divide, make a straight cut
2. Proverbs 2:4-5 — If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and:
a) find rest unto thy soul
b) find the knowledge of God
c) find the knowledge of the LORD
3. Hosea 6:3 — Then shall we know, if we:
a) follow on to know the LORD
b) seek her as silver
c) do his will
4. John 7:17 — If any man will do his will, he shall:
a) find the knowledge of God
b) grow in grace
c) know of the doctrine
5. 2 Corinthians 10:5 — Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against:
a) the obedience of Christ
b) the knowledge of God
c) the word of truth
6. Malachi 2:7 — The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is:
a) a workman that needeth not to be ashamed
b) the servant of the Lord
c) the messenger of the LORD of hosts
7. 1 Corinthians 13:12 — For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then:
a) shall I know even as also I am known
b) that which is in part shall be done away
c) we shall prophesy in part
ANSWER KEY: 1-a, 2-b, 3-a, 4-c, 5-b, 6-c, 7-a
HOW THIS STUDY BRANCHES
→ How the shadow brings light: the priest's lips should keep knowledge, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts (Malachi 2:7) — set that office beside the royal priesthood that shows forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9), ready for its own study.
→ How the new covenant explains it: they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me (Jeremiah 31:34) — and the new testament takes it up word for word: I will put my laws into their mind, and all shall know me, from the least to the greatest (Hebrews 8:10-11). What the prophet promised, the covenant performs.
→ How the words matter: now I know is ginosko (G1097, to know); then shall I know is epiginosko (G1921, to know fully) — one place, two words (1 Corinthians 13:12); and the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25) and the knowledge of his will (Colossians 1:9) carry that same full word — mark which word stands in which place, and why.
→ How it reaches to eternity: this is life eternal, that they might know you (John 17:3) — and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:9); the knowing begun in the crawl endures past heaven and earth, for his words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).
→ Rabbit trail: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil stood at the first gate of the book (Genesis 2:9,17) — knowledge taken against the word brought death; the knowledge of God given in Christ is life eternal (John 17:3) — search it out.
→ Possible revelation: knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1), and Paul prays that love may abound yet more and more in knowledge (Philippians 1:9) — knowledge carried outside of love lifts a man up; knowledge carried inside of love builds the house. The vessel is charity; the treasure is knowledge.
