The "Epignosis" Of Him

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).

The word "knowledge" in the verse above is the Greek "epignosis," and it means exact or precise knowledge; full knowledge with intimacy. It means full comprehension, recognition, or perception; to become fully acquainted with God. This is the knowledge He seeks for us to have of Him. Our opening verse says, we've been called to glory and virtue; that means a life of glory, honour, dignity and excellence; but notice how this life works: it's through the knowledge - "epignosis" of Him.

The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, shows us how to get this knowledge of God in His prayer for the Church: "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: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:17-18). What does this mean?

He's saying that as you get to know God through this kind of special relationship or acquaintance, He'll grant you insight into reality. Yes, God has appointed you to a life of honour, dignity, and excellence, but as you learn about Him, as you meditate on the Word, secrets about this life, and how to walk in the reality of it are unveiled to you.


It reminds of yet another powerful truth in 2 Peter 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." Again, the word translated knowledge here is "epignosis." So, in addition to a life of honour, dignity, and excellence, grace and peace can be multiplied in your life as you meditate on the Word of God.

Wisdom, And Spiritual Understanding

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 with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Imagine walking in fulfillment of this prayer! Your life will be an endless manifestation of the excellence of the Spirit. When you have wisdom and spiritual understanding, beyond knowing the whys and wherefores of anything, you know the power behind it. Every time, in every place, and in every situation, you know exactly what to do.

The Prophet Elisha manifested this kind of supernatural understanding and wisdom. Once, he and some other prophets were at Jordan, and one of them, while hewing down a tree, his axe-head pulled off and sank in the river. It was a borrowed axe, so he cried out to Elisha for help (2 Kings 6:5). Elisha cut off a tree branch and tossed it at the spot where the axe-head fell, and instantly, the axe-head floated up. How did Elisha know what to do to bring the axe-head from under the water to the surface? He was filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. The wisdom of God showed him what to do.

Something similar happened with Isaac. There was famine in Canaan and he was about to leave for another city when God instructed Him to remain in Canaan. The Bible records that in spite of the drought, Isaac dug wells and found water. Meanwhile, everyone else in Canaan dug wells and found no water. In that same year, the Bible says that Isaac "...waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: for he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him" (Genesis 26:12-14).

How did Isaac know where to dig and find water? Why did he prosper exceedingly in a land where everyone else experienced severe hunger, poverty, and deprivation? It was because God gave him insight as to what to do. If you study about him in the scriptures, you'll discover he's one of those in the Old Testament who, we're told, often took time to meditate: "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide..." (Genesis 24:63).

Meditating on God's Word causes you to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Wisdom: A Compelling Force!

Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

True wisdom is of the Spirit. It’s more than the mere application of knowledge as many often define it. There’re those who can theorize and astound you with the vastness of their knowledge, yet that doesn’t mean they’re wise.

Wisdom is a compelling force. It makes you do the things you should do, and say the things you should say excellently and at the right time. It causes you to function beyond your human reasoning. When a man lacks the wisdom of God, he’ll think the wrong thoughts, say the wrong words, do the wrong things, and make the wrong choices. But when divine wisdom works in you, you make accurate choices and judgments without having to reason them out first.

No wonder the Apostle Paul said, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Wisdom is that controlling power that works in us, not just to will but also to do the will of God. It’s the compelling force that causes you to walk with divine insight in God’s perfect will for your life.

Thanks be unto God, who has made divine wisdom available to you in Christ: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Thus, that compelling force to think, act, and function at a high level of excellence has been made available to you in Christ. Recognize and take advantage of it today.