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Answer
Each instance of the phrase “knowledge of God” in the Bible should be examined in its specific context. At times, the writer may be alluding to God’s knowledge, as seen in Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Other times, it may refer to our understanding of God, such as in Romans 1:28, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” This discussion will focus on the latter meaning, which is more prevalent. While it is not possible to delve into every detail in each passage, we can draw some general conclusions about the usage of the term “knowledge of God” in the Scriptures.
The concept of the knowledge of God typically denotes understanding the truth about God (Romans 1:19-21). According to the Bible, knowledge of God originates from God Himself, as stated in Proverbs 2:6, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” God graciously chooses to reveal Himself to humanity through various means, as seen in Isaiah 33:6, “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.” He manifests Himself to all through creation (Psalm 19:1-2), ensuring that everyone possesses at least some awareness of His “eternal power and divine nature,” as mentioned in the verse “For the invisible things of him from the creation of…”The world is clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: », (Romans 1:20). This fundamental understanding of God’s righteousness and our moral responsibility is sufficient to condemn us for not following His law «For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness; », (Romans 1:18).
Those who fear God, or have a relationship with Him, can increase in the knowledge of God, as He discloses Himself (Proverbs 1:7;Isaiah 33:6). God reveals Himself through the Scriptures «All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: », (2 Timothy 3:16), through His people «And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. », (Romans 15:14), through His Holy Spirit «But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you. », (John 14:26), and through His Son, who is His perfect image «Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: », (Colossians 1:15).
In the Bible, the knowledge of God is closely linked to relaRelationship with God. God gives knowledge to those who love Him, and rejection of knowledge results in a broken relationship (Proverbs 2:4-6; Hosea 4:6; Romans 1:21-25). It is somewhat similar to our human relationships: the closer we get to someone, the better we know that person, and the more we get to know him or her, the closer we become. As we grow in the knowledge of God, we learn more about His will, His works, and His character.
Increasing in our knowledge of God, or learning more about Him, should motivate a change in our lives, as we contemplate His goodness, mercy, and glory “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”, (2 Peter 2:20). As Christians, we grow in the knowledge of God through our relationship with Jesus Christ “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”, (2 Corinthians 4:6). Our goal is to grow in the knowledge of God so that we become more like His Son. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is a beautiful example of this dynamic:
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that youYou may have great endurance and patience, giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:9-12).
Finally, as Christians, we do not keep the knowledge of God to ourselves. As we grow in the knowledge of God, we are to share it with others so that they can come to know Him as well. Paul’s life of self-sacrificial ministry spread the knowledge of God to everyone around him «Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. », (2 Corinthians 2:14). God also used Paul’s ministry to break down every obstacle in the human mind that prevented people from hearing the knowledge of God «casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; », (2 Corinthians 10:5). In the same way, we should share the knowledge of God wherever we go so that people would come to know Him through the grace of His Son. Then, as we serve one another in Christian community, we will build each other up until, by the grace of God, “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” «till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: », (Ephesians 4:13).
