“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2).
The word “knowledge” appears seven times in the book of 2 Peter, and our text from 2 Peter 1:2 features the first of those appearances. One source lays the groundwork for our look at this term with the aid of a timely reminder…
“In our day we are rightly warned about the danger of a sterile faith, of a ‘head’ knowledge that never touches the heart. But we need equally to be careful of a ‘heart’ knowledge that never touches the head! Too many Christians know too little about their faith; we are therefore often unprepared to explain how our ‘God’ differs from the ‘God’ of Mormonism or of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (1)
With this in mind, it is important to remember that several New Testament-era churches were struggling with various forms of false doctrine at the time this letter was written. In the formative years of the early church, a group known as the Gnostics embraced one such doctrine. The Gnostics comprised a loosely affiliated group of individuals who believed that salvation was only attainable through the acquisition of special knowledge or insight.
Gnosticism took its name from the Greek word gnosis (meaning “knowledge” or “to know”). Some forms of Gnosticism taught that a transcendent spiritual being granted “secret knowledge” to select individuals that enabled them to escape the corruption of this world. Others understood salvation as a revelation that reawakened their divine identity. (2)
However, the word translated “knowledge” here in 2 Peter 1:2 is epignosis. This refers to a specific type of knowledge that is both precise and correct. (3) It also emphasizes the kind of knowledge that is full or thorough. (4) The following author discusses the relationship between gnosis and epignosis, as well as its significance within this passage…
“[Epignosis] is a strengthened form of ‘knowledge’ implying a larger, more thorough, and intimate knowledge. The Christian’s precious faith is built on knowing the truth about God (cf. v. 3). Christianity is not a mystical religion, but is based in objective, historical, revealed, rational truth from God and intended to be understood and believed. The deeper and wider that knowledge of the Lord, the more ‘grace and peace’ are multiplied.” (5)
This sets genuine Christianity apart from belief systems that limit salvation to the privileged few who possess access to hidden spiritual wisdom. As Peter will tell us in the following verse, “God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness” (GW). Because of this, we can find assurance, peace, and security, knowing that we have access to all we need in Christ.
(1) Moo, Douglas J. 2 Peter and Jude. The NIV Application Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. p. 39. Quoted in Notes on 2 Peter 2023 Edition, Dr. Thomas L. Constable https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/2peter/2peter.htm
(2) See Williams, Michael. “gnosticism”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Apr. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/gnosticism. Accessed 16 May 2024.
(3) G1922 epignosis Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/kjv/tr/0-1/
(4) G1922 epignosis Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001579
(5) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:2.