The knowledge of God is neither scarce nor burdensome, nor is it reserved for intellectual elites. No! It is as plain as day; accessible and graciously revealed. As the apostle Paul explains, “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:19–20). We do not need to subject ourselves to spiritual rigour or hurt ourselves to know God; He has already made Himself known.

Yet some portray God as distant and overly complex—almost like a pedantic professor who can never be impressed. Without overwhelming the reader with excessive theology, it is worth noting that the phrase “knowledge of God” is translated from the Greek word epignōsis, which denotes a full, precise, progressive, intimate, and experiential knowledge. It is not merely a cerebral accumulation of facts and figures, but a growing relationship—knowing God personally, not just intellectually.

Therefore, we are not to approach the knowledge of God as detached scholars, but as devoted lovers. Ephesians 3:17–19 captures this beautifully, especially in the Amplified translation:

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been rooted and grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints the width and length and height and depth of His love; and to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

I used to interpret 2 Timothy 2:15—“Study to show yourself approved unto God” by simply replacing study with read. You can’t blame me; that interpretation is easily understandable, especially considering how frequently the verse was quoted during my early academic years. While reading is certainly included, the meaning of study is far broader. In this context, it encompasses at least four definitions: first, learning or acquiring knowledge by reading or listening; second, careful examination and observation; third, deep reflection and meditation; and finally, preparation and practice—a diligent effort toward growth.

These definitions are scattered throughout Scripture: “If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and do all His commandments…” (Deuteronomy 28:1); “My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings” (Proverbs 4:20); “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2–3). Whatever form study takes, its common denominator is the Word of God. As Paul affirms, “Who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also, no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

Having established what the knowledge of God truly is, it is safe to reiterate that the exceedingly great and precious promises, the good and perfect gifts, and the blessings and inheritances referenced in 2 Peter 1:4, James 1:17, and 2 Corinthians 8:9 all flow from His manifold grace and are expressed according to the degree to which we know Him in any given subject area of interest. As Scripture highlights, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Continued…