Understanding γνῶσις (gnōsis) Strong’s G1108: The Divine Knowledge That Transforms Faith and Illuminates God’s Mysteries

Pronunciation Guide: gnō’-sis (with a long “o” sound)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1108: The Greek word γνῶσις refers to knowledge acquired through experience or personal acquaintance rather than mere intellectual understanding. It denotes a deeper, experiential knowledge that involves personal relationship with what is known. In biblical contexts, γνῶσις often indicates spiritual insight or knowledge of divine things that transforms the knower, not merely informing the mind but changing the heart and life of the believer.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Derived from the verb γινώσκω (ginōskō, G1097) meaning “to know, perceive, understand”
• Indo-European root *gno- (to know)
• Primary usage in teaching, epistolary, and theological discourse
• Appears 29 times in the New Testament
• Often contrasted with σοφία (sophia, wisdom) and ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis, full knowledge)

γνῶσις Morphology:

• γνῶσις (nominative singular) – knowledge
• γνώσεως (genitive singular) – of knowledge
• γνώσει (dative singular) – in/with knowledge
• γνῶσιν (accusative singular) – knowledge (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term γνῶσις has a rich history in Greek thought that predates biblical usage. In classical Greek literature, it denoted knowledge gained through observation and experience rather than innate understanding. Plato, in his “Republic,” distinguished between γνῶσις as empirical knowledge and ἐπιστήμη (epistēmē) as theoretical knowledge. Aristotle similarly employed the term to indicate knowledge acquired through direct experience.

In the Septuagint (LXX), γνῶσις appears frequently to translate the Hebrew term דַּעַת (da’at), which encompasses not just intellectual understanding but intimate, relational knowledge. This usage in the Jewish scriptures laid the foundation for its New Testament applications. For example, in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [γνῶσις],” the term refers not to intellectual deficiency but to a failure to know יהוה (Yahweh) intimately. Early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria and Origen would later develop the concept further, distinguishing between “common knowledge” and the higher γνῶσις that leads to communion with God.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Knowledge acquired through personal experience or relationship
• Spiritual insight or discernment of divine mysteries
• Practical understanding that leads to godly living
• Specialized knowledge or skill in a particular area
• Knowledge that is taught and can be communicated to others

γνῶσις Translation Options:

• Knowledge – The most common English rendering, though it lacks the experiential connotation of γνῶσις
• Understanding – Emphasizes the comprehension aspect of γνῶσις
• Insight – Captures the discernment and deeper perception implied by γνῶσις
• Spiritual wisdom – Reflects the divine nature of true γνῶσις in biblical contexts
• Experiential knowledge – Most accurately conveys the relational aspect of γνῶσις

Biblical Usage

The word γνῶσις features prominently in Luke-Acts and the Pauline epistles, with particular significance in the Corinthian correspondence. Luke’s first usage in Luke 1:77 speaks of “the knowledge of salvation,” highlighting that salvation is not merely a status but involves knowing God. Paul frequently employs the term to distinguish between mere intellectual understanding and transformative spiritual insight.

In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, γνῶσις takes on special significance against the backdrop of Greek philosophical traditions and early Gnostic tendencies. In 1 Corinthians 8:1, Paul warns that “knowledge puffs up while love builds up,” addressing the danger of γνῶσις divorced from ἀγάπη (agapē, love). Later, in 2 Corinthians 4:6, he speaks of “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” indicating that true γνῶσις is centered in the Messiah and His revelation.

• “To give knowledge [γνῶσιν] of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:77
• “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge [γνῶσιν]. Knowledge [γνῶσις] puffs up, but love edifies.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
• “But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:11
• “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge [γνώσεως] according to the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:8
• “By purity, by knowledge [γνώσει], by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love.” 2 Corinthians 6:6
• “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge [γνῶσιν], that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
• “But grow in the grace and knowledge [γνώσει] of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.” 2 Peter 3:18

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, γνῶσις represented a prized cultural value, particularly among philosophical schools like the Stoics and Epicureans. When Paul preached at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:16-34), he engaged with a culture that highly valued knowledge and philosophical discourse. The biblical concept of γνῶσις, however, challenged Hellenistic notions by grounding true knowledge in relationship with the Creator rather than human reasoning alone.

In Jewish thought, the concept of “knowing” (from the Hebrew יָדַע, yada) often implied intimate relationship, not merely intellectual understanding. This is illustrated in the Hebrew idiom where “to know” can refer to sexual intimacy (e.g., “Adam knew Eve his wife,” Genesis 4:1). This background illuminates New Testament uses of γνῶσις, suggesting that true knowledge of God involves intimate communion with Him, not just information about Him. The rabbinic tradition distinguished between “knowledge of Torah” (yediat ha-Torah) and “knowledge of God” (yediat Hashem), with the latter being deeper and more transformative. This distinction parallels New Testament teachings about γνῶσις as relational knowledge of God through the Messiah Jesus.

Theological Significance

The concept of γνῶσις in Scripture reveals that God desires to be known by His people—not merely acknowledged, but intimately experienced. Unlike pagan deities conceived as distant and unknowable, יהוה (Yahweh) reveals Himself through covenant relationship, creation, and ultimately through the incarnation of His Son. In Jesus, “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [γνώσεως] are hidden” (Colossians 2:3), meaning that true knowledge of God comes through knowing the Messiah.

Paul’s warnings about γνῶσις in 1 Corinthians reflect the theological danger of divorcing knowledge from love and humble obedience. True biblical γνῶσις is never merely intellectual—it transforms the heart, renews the mind, and leads to godly living. This theological principle countered early Gnostic tendencies that elevated secret knowledge as the path to salvation. Instead, Scripture presents γνῶσις as God’s gift that leads to worship and service, accessible not primarily through intellectual prowess but through humble faith and divine revelation. This is why Paul could pray that believers might “know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge [γνῶσιν]” (Ephesians 3:19)—a profound paradox that indicates the transcendent nature of true γνῶσις.

Personal Application

To pursue γνῶσις in our spiritual lives means going beyond Bible information to Bible transformation. We are called not merely to study God’s Word but to know Him through it—developing an experiential relationship with the living God that changes us from the inside out. This kind of knowledge isn’t measured by theological degrees or memorized verses, but by growing Christlikeness and deepening intimacy with our Creator.

In practical terms, this means approaching Scripture not just to gain information but to encounter God. It means praying not just to present requests but to listen and commune with Him. It means looking for God’s hand in daily experiences, recognizing that He reveals Himself not only through His Word but through life circumstances, other believers, and even creation itself. As we cultivate this deeper γνῶσις, we find ourselves transformed—our priorities shift, our character develops, and our love for God and others grows.

Related Words

• σοφία (sophia) – soh-FEE-ah – wisdom, skill, intelligence; while γνῶσις refers to acquired knowledge, σοφία refers to the wisdom to apply that knowledge rightly. See G4678
• ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis) – ep-IG-no-sis – full knowledge, precise and correct knowledge; an intensified form of γνῶσις indicating more complete or accurate knowledge. See G1922
• σύνεσις (synesis) – SIN-e-sis – understanding, intelligence, discernment; refers to putting together knowledge to achieve insight or comprehension. See G4907
• φρόνησις (phronēsis) – FRO-nay-sis – practical wisdom, prudence, thoughtfulness; relates to the application of knowledge in practical matters. See G5428
• γινώσκω (ginōskō) – ghi-NO-sko – to know, perceive, understand; the verb form from which γνῶσις is derived, often indicating ongoing relationship or experience. See G1097

Did You Know?

• The English word “diagnosis” derives from Greek διάγνωσις (diagnosis), a compound of διά (through) and γνῶσις (knowledge), reflecting the process of gaining knowledge through examination—a reminder that true γνῶσις comes through thoughtful investigation and personal experience, not surface-level observation.
• During the second century, various Gnostic movements emerged that distorted the biblical concept of γνῶσις, claiming salvation came through secret knowledge rather than faith in the Messiah’s atoning work. Many New Testament writings, particularly 1 John and Colossians, seem to address early forms of these teachings, emphasizing that true knowledge is found in Jesus and accessible to all believers, not an intellectual elite.
• In modern Orthodox Judaism, the study concept of “da’at Torah” (Torah knowledge) bears similarity to the New Testament concept of γνῶσις—knowledge that is not merely academic but spiritually transformative, guiding believers in applying divine wisdom to contemporary situations. This continuity highlights the Jewish roots of the Christian understanding of divine knowledge.

Remember This

True γνῶσις is not information stored in the mind but transformation experienced in the heart—a divine knowing that leads us beyond understanding God’s truth to living in God’s presence.