Paul repeatedly states, “I would not have you to be uninformed (ignorant).” Obviously, there are varying degrees of knowing, from the superficial to the depths of knowledge. All too many times, we are content to “know” only on the surface and this is especially limiting in the spiritual realm when it comes to the Word of God. In writing to the churches, Paul uses two nouns for knowing, “gnosis” and “epignosis.” In the first use, Paul speaks of knowing in the sense of inquiry, or investigation. This is information that enters into our thinking but is not cycled into the soul because the element of faith is not directed toward that information.
However, when faith is applied to that which is known spiritually, it becomes “epignosis,” knowledge believed and transferred into our spirit and soul. This kind of “knowing” expresses rapport and participation by the knower with the object known. It is this kind of knowledge that we should pursue in our spiritual lives as we walk by faith by means of the Spirit. Paul challenges us to allow the Spirit of God to reveal to us the full knowledge of God as revealed in Scripture.
10 …But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
(1 Cor 2:9-10)