ἐπίγνωσις

ἐπίγνωσις, εως, ἡ (s. γνῶσις and prec. entry; Philo Mech. 59, 2; Polyb. 3, 7, 6; 3, 31, 4; Diod S 3, 38, 2; Epict. 2, 20, 21; Plut., Mor. 1145a; Herodian 7, 6, 7; pap [Mayser 438; UPZ 118, 16: 136 B.C.?; BGU 1873, 20f; PTebt 28, 11: c. 114 B.C.]; LXX, EpArist, Philo, Just., Tat.; καιρῶν ἐ. Did., Gen. 195, 28) knowledge, recognition in our lit. limited to transcendent and moral matters (Hierocles 22 p. 467). W. gen. of the thing known (Diod S 3, 56, 5 τῶν ἄστρων ἐ.) δόξης ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ 1 Cl 59:2 (here ἀγνωσία as contrast to ἐπίγν.). (τῆς) ἀληθείας a knowledge of the truth (Epict. 2, 20, 21; Philo, Omn. Pr. L. 74; τοῦ ἀληθοῦς Just., D. 3, 4.—MDibelius, Ἐπίγνωσις ἀληθείας: GHeinrici Festschr. 1914, 178–89) 1 Ti 2:4; 2 Ti 2:25; 3:7; Tit 1:1; Hb 10:26 (for the expr. εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἔρχεσθαι in 1 Ti 2:4; 2 Ti 3:7 cp. 2 Macc 9:11). ἁμαρτίας consciousness of sin Ro 3:20. τοῦ μυστηρίου τ. θεοῦ Col 2:2. τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ 1:9. παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ Phlm 6 (cp. Herm. Wr. 3, 3b ἀγαθῶν ἐ.; EpArist 139; ἐ. τοῦ καλοῦ Did., Gen. 72, 17). W. gen. of the pers. known ἐ. τοῦ θεοῦ knowledge of God (Pr 2:5; Hos 4:1; Just., A II, 10, 6; Tat. 13, 1) Col 1:10; 2 Pt 1:2; cp. Eph 1:17; 2 Pt 1:3; Dg 10:1. Also ἡ περί σου ἐ. MPol 14:1; ἐ. τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ Eph 4:13; cp. 2 Pt 1:8; 2:20. Knowledge of God and Christ 2 Pt 1:2; but legal terminology may be reflected here (=cognitio, cp. PTebt 28, 11 πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἕκαστα ὑπʼ ἐπίγνωσιν ἀχθῆναι [114 B.C.]; SIG 826d, 16f). Abs. (cp. Hos 4:6) θεὸν ἔχειν ἐν ἐ. to recognize God Ro 1:28; (w. αἴσθησις) Phil 1:9; ἀνακαινούμενος εἰς ἐ. renewed in knowledge Col 3:10. κατʼ ἐπίγνωσιν in accordance w. (real) knowledge Ro 10:2.—DELG s.v. γιγνώσκω. M-M. TW.