EPIGNOSIS (pronounced e-pē’-gnō-sēs) is a Greek word meaning precise and correct knowledge. It is used in the New Testament twenty times: fifteen times by the Apostle Paul, one time in Hebrews and four times by the Apostle Peter.

It differs in use from other words translated “knowledge” (gnosis, ginosko, epiginosko, etc.). Epignosis refers to ethical and divine knowledge of God, which is precise and correct. Here are three such examples:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” (Philippians 1:9)

Here Paul’s prayer is that the Philippians’ love may abound more and more in precise and correct knowledge and in all judgment.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:10)

Here Paul tells us that the new man who believers put on is renewed in precise and correct knowledge after the image of the creator God.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1:17)

Here Paul prays that God the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, may give the Ephesian Christians the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the precise and correct knowledge of Himself. This implies that these Ephesian born-again believers needed something more than the knowledge they had. This applies to us today too.

Vines’ Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says (at C-2) Epignosis: “denotes exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition, and [expresses] a fuller or a full “knowledge,” a greater participation by the “knower” in the object “known,” thus more powerfully influencing him. “In all the four Epistles of the first Roman captivity it is an element in the Apostle’s opening prayer for his correspondents’ well-being, Phil. 1:9; Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:9; Philem. 1:6″ (Lightfoot).”

This is very interesting! It is NOT saying people with Epignosis know everything and know everything completely. It is saying is when we have the Epignosis of scripture (use John 3:16 as an example), we actually experience the scripture and recognize it with full discernment. The power of the scripture overcomes us, we “get it”, and it influences us in all aspects of life.

Vines’ also says Epignosis is similar to Epiginosko (at A-3), which “denotes (a) “to observe, fully perceive, notice attentively, discern, recognize” and “suggests generally a directive, a more special, recognition of the object “known” than does [ginosko]; it also may suggest advanced “knowledge” or special appreciation; thus, in Rom. 1:32, “knowing the ordinance of God” (epiginosko) means “knowing full well,” whereas in verse Rom. 1:21 “knowing God” (ginosko) simply suggests that they could not avoid the perception. Sometimes epiginosko implies a special participation in the object “known,” and gives greater weight to what is stated; thus in John 8:32, “ye shall know the truth,” ginosko is used, whereas in 1 Tim. 4:3, “them that believe and know the truth,” epiginosko lays stress on participation in the truth.”

Epignosis is completely superior to these other types of knowledge. Where do we begin on the path to Epignosis knowledge? The scriptures say the fear, reverence or terror of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and anyone who has understanding will desire knowledge in their heart (Proverbs 15:14). The scripture also says the intelligent person’s heart obtains knowledge and the wise person’s ear desires it (Proverbs 18:15).

A lot of persons rely on secular, corporeal wisdom as well as the strength that the world ascribes to money. The scripture says that both wisdom and money are transitory defences but the excellency or advantage of knowledge is that those who combine it with wisdom, live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever, are quickened, are alive and are restored to life or health (Ecclesiastes 7:12). This implies that possessing Epignosis will bring about a more profound experience of these things.

Like Paul’s desire for the Colossians, it is my desire that all are filled with the precise and correct knowledge of God and His will (Colossians 1:9-10).

This blog chronicles a very small part of my continuous journey on the path to Epignosis. I am always keen on quoting Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV): “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” God calls us to Epignosis via His written Word because an increase in precise and correct knowledge brings an increase in Faith.

Be blessed in the light of the Word of God!