Biblical Knowing

The Scriptures of the New Testament use two words for knowing or knowledge that are pertinent to this discussion. These words are oida and ginosko.

The first of these, oida, has a number of uses, but its primary use is "to have information about" (see Mark 1:34, Matthew 25:13, John 7:27, Luke 4:41, and many more).

The word ginosko has even more uses. The primary difference is that this word generally involves experiential knowledge. It refers to grasping the significance or meaning of something. Comprehending or understanding something. It also refers to intimate sexual relations (see Matthew 1:25 and Luke 1:34, for example).

When Holy Spirit instructs us through the Apostle Peter to "grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord" He uses gnosis, a form of ginosko. We are instructed to "get to know" the Lord. This kind of knowing God is relational because we cannot understand or comprehend the "content of what is known" (BDAG) apart from intimate experiential relationship with Him. In Galatians 4:9, the Spirit in Paul says, "now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God." The word here is ginosko and this phrase in its context puts relationship front and center.

So, as it relates to God and one another, there is knowledge of facts. This is knowing things about God. Then there is knowledge of God Himself. This is knowing who He is personally and knowing what He is like in His character, intimately.