Knowledge Series #3: The Greek words for Knowledge
You heard about knowledge puffs up and love edifies. So many people ignore the knowledge of the Lord. and as the consequences of lack of knowledge, people perishes. May be this was due to the lost of the original meaning when the word of "knowledge" in Hebrew and Greek was translated into English. Hope this post will clarify this.
ENGLISH - BASICS
YTM
5/17/20265 min read
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.
(1 Corinthians 8:1-3; NIV)
In the last several posts, we are discussion the misunderstanding of the Bible verse "knowledge" puffs up. The reason is very simple, because there many Greek words that were transplanted into "knowledge" in English and the true meaning was lost.
It was said that there are little more than 1 million of English words but 5 million to 70 million of Greek words. I guess this may be part of the reason why there are so many famous Greek philosophers. When we have a clear definition of different words, then our speech will surely "sounds philosophical", and the communication will be very accurate.
Here is an example. In the church circle, we all know there are at least three different words for love, commonly as, Eros, Philia, Storge, and Agape. Let's say, if you want to discuss with your teenage daughter who just falls in love with a handsome young man in her class. It can goes like this: Honey, I understand you love him, but his love towards you is not the same love you towards him. I will only bless this relationship if there is true love among you. I need to say this to you, because I love you. Well, if you use Greek words, the communication will be very accurate and precise: Honey, I understand you Philia (Philio) him, but his Eros towards you is not the same Philia you towards him. I will only bless this relationship if there is true Agape among you. I need to say this to you because I Storge you. well, you see the differences. However, if you dig deeper, there are eight different "love" words in Greek, they are Eros, Phila, Storge, Agape, Pragma, Philautia, Ludus, and Mania.
Here are simple explanations of these "love" words:
Eros (Ερωτας): Passionate, romantic, and physical desire. It represents a deep emotional or sexual yearning named after the Greek god of love. It did not appear in New Testament. Online search suggested that Proverbs 7:18 in the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition replaced love with Eros. “Come, let us take our fill of love [philia] till morning; let us delight ourselves with love [eros].”
Philia (Φιλία): Deep, loyal, and brotherly affection and friendship. Example for understanding this word is in the conversation between Jesus and Peter which is recorded in John 21. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [Agape] Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love [Philio] You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
Storgē (Στοργή): Natural, instinctive affection and familial love. This is the bond shared between parents and children, or among family members. No Bible verses used this word.
Agape (Αγάπη): Unconditional, divine, selfless, and sacrificial love. It focuses on willing the good of others and charity toward humanity. More used to describe God's love. There are many verses that used this word in the Bible. The most famous one is: For God so loved [agapēsen] the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16: NKJV)
Pragma (Πράγμα): Mature, Enduring, Covenantal, and long-standing love. It relies on patience, compromise, and a shared history, often seen in long-term marriages.
Philautia (Φιλαυτία): Self-love. This ranges from a healthy self-compassion and respect to an unhealthy, destructive narcissism type of love. Example, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves [philautos], lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. (2 Thimothy 3:1-2; NKJV)
Ludus (Λούδος): Playful and lighthearted love. It involves flirting, teasing, and the early, carefree stages of a romance. Narrative Example: The Song of Solomon is filled with the poetic, playful, and teasing banter of young lovers courting one another (Song of Solomon 2:8–10).
Mania (Μανία): Obsessive and excessive love. It turns a deep passion into a state of madness, jealousy type. example: Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad [mania]. (Acts 26:24; NKJV)
For detailed study of these words, please see the article "8 Types of Love and What They Reveal About God" by the Bible Gateway.
I am so appreciate that the original New Testament was written in Greek. With the same token, if we look at the Greek words for "knowledge" and its verb "to know", there are 7 words that can be translated as "knowledge".
Gnōsis (γνῶσις): verb is Ginōskō (γινώσκω). Emphasizes the firsthand, experiential knowledge. Example: that I may know [ginosko] Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Philippains 3:10; NKJV)
Epignōsis (ἐπίγνωσις): verb is Epiginōskō (ἐπιγινώσκω). Emphasizes the knowledge moves from basic knowledge to deep, mature, precise, and full knowledge. Example: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know [ginosko] in part, but then I shall know [epiginosko] just as I also am known [epiginosko] . (1 Corinthians 13:12: NKJV)
Epistēmē (ἐπιστήμη): verb is Epistamai (ἐπίσταμαι). Emphasizes scientific, intellectual, comprehend, skilled knowledge that had been mastered. Example: And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know [ginosko], and Paul I know [epistamai]; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15; NKJV)
Phronēsis (φρόνησις): verb is Phroneō (φρονέω). Emphasizes prudence and moral mindset or perspective. Example: He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom [phronesis] of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17; NKJV)
Sunesis (σύνεσις): verb is Suniēmi (συνίημι). Emphasizes connecting the dots, and critical understanding type of knowledge. Example: And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend [Suniēmi ] the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45; NJKV)
Oida/Eido (οἶδα): has no verb form. It comes from an ancient root meaning "to have seen," which is why it represents immediate, intuitive, clear perception. Example: Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows [oida] the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:8; NKJV)
Sophia (σοφία): verb is sophizō (σοφίζω). Emphasizes wisdom. Sophia is the ultimate application of spiritual facts to real life—insight driven by divine perspective. Example: If any of you lacks wisdom [sophia], let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5; NKJV)
Now with all these words knowledge in mind. We will understand why Paul says the knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. You see, when we have first-hand, and experiential knowledge (gnosis) of God, it's very easy for us to think us somewhat "special" or "elite" comparing to other believers who do not have such experiences. Paul warned us to remember to walk in love to such fellow brothers. As a matured Christian who "ginosko" God in daily life, should have more knowledge of God's "agape" towards the Christians who have the weak conscience related to eating the foods that were scarified to the idols.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge [gnosis]; And to knowledge [gnosis] temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness [philadelphia]; and to brotherly kindness charity[agape]. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:4-8; NKJV)
Beloved! Did you see what the Holy Spirit is saying to us through Peter? Is gnosis (knowledge) good? Yes! But it is just the beginning. We need move from gnosis to self-control, and eventually through patience, we reach to phila, then agape.
I hope we have learned enough of what the Holy Spirit is saying through the Holy Scripture on this topic. Oh, My Lord and My God, please forgive me of my "puffs-up" attitude! Lord Jesus, please help me to love your church!