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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Known by God

Now concerning things offered to idols [eidolothuton]: We know [eido] that we all have knowledge [gnosis]. Knowledge [gnosis] puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows [eido] anything, he knows [ginosko] nothing yet as he ought to know [ginosko]. But if anyone loves God, this one is known [ginosko] by Him. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NKJV)

Paul uses two words for "know." To know by perceiving is eido (idol sacrifices are for eidolon — images known by perception). To know by experience (verb) is ginosko (experiential knowledge, related noun is gnosis; gnosis can be as intimate as is expressed by the idiom for physically intimacy, a man "knew his wife"). One might expect Paul to say "if anyone loves God this one knows Him." Instead, Paul says here by our love for God — who we do not perceive by our senses — God experientially knows us.

Lord, please enable me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, strength. Please let me ginosko You as You ginosko me, but let me never be puffed up in such knowledge.


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