Is “know thyself” or “know yourself” a biblical concept?

Answer

“Know thyself” is a phrase present in various religions, worldviews, and self-help philosophies, each adapting its meaning to suit its distinct viewpoint. The broad usage of the phrase in different cultures and situations raises questions about its alignment with the theological and moral teachings of the Bible.

The phrase “know thyself” has its roots in ancient Greece, although its originator remains unknown. According to Greek and Roman historians, craftsmen inscribed the phrase on the walls of the temple of Apollo in Delphi, located in Central Greece. Despite the temple lying in ruins for many years and the decline of belief in Greek deities, the phrase has persisted.

The temple of Apollo served as a popular destination for Greeks seeking answers to life’s questions, particularly about the future. Visitors believed that the temple’s inhabitant, a prophetess named Pythia, served as a vessel for the Greek god Apollo. For centuries, consulting with individuals who portrayed the Delphi Oracle was a common practice of pagan divination.

Those who journeyed to the temple primarily sought supernatural insights they believed the oracle could provide. However, the message “know thyself” suggested that reflecting on their own thoughts and emotions was also a crucial aspect of their pilgrimage. The phrase urged individuals to contemplate their inner qualities: their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their aspirations, anxieties, and motivations. It was thought that such introspection could yield valuable insights into their own lives.

The Bible instructs Christians to comprehend themselves in a manner consistent with its divinely inspired teachings. For instance, David advises individuals to examine their hearts “Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.”, (Psalm 4:4);Jeremiah encourages people to “test” their direction in life «Let us search and try our ways, And turn again to the LORD. », (Lamentations 3:40); Haggai invites people to give careful thought to their priorities «Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. », (Haggai 1:7); and Paul instructs believers to “examine” themselves to see if their faith is genuine «Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? », (2 Corinthians 13:5), and self-examination is especially important prior to observing the Lord’s Supper «But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. », (1 Corinthians 11:28). While the Bible encourages self-reflection, the Christian approach differs significantly from that of non-Christian belief systems in its process and purpose.

A biblical worldview of “know thyself” starts with understanding that God created all people in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Also essential to knowing yourself is the acknowledgment that all people are born separated from God because of sin «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). If we don’t believe that God created us in His image, or if we reject the nature and extent of sin, we can’t truly know ourselves.

Furthermore, it is vital to a Christian’s self-understanding to know what the Bible says about who believers are in Jesus Christ.For instance, the New Testament teaches that believers are children of God (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:3-8); in Christ, they are chosen, accepted, forgiven, and redeemed. Self-reflection that focuses on aspects of a person’s identity in Christ is essential for a believer to truly follow the dictum to “know thyself.”

Christians should make the purpose of their self-reflection conformity to God’s righteous standards as the Bible reveals them. The result of inward examination can lead to correction, such as when Job became aware of his own sin “How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.”, (Job 13:23); or inspiration, like when the psalmist committed himself to Scripture (Psalm 119:59-60). All inward and outward applications should have sanctification as their aim, like growing in holiness and bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25), for the purpose of Christlikeness.

In summary, Christians can “know thyself” through learning what the Bible says about them. That knowledge should be followed by yielding to the Holy Spirit’s conviction of those truths in their minds and hearts, with the aim of being more like Jesus.