something more than a mere technicality; it lies near the very heart of all

true teaching and we therefore `recognize' the claims which this word has

upon us to make its meaning clearly understood by all who read the Word.

Epignosko occurs 42 times in the New Testament and epignosis occurs 20 times.

Space will not permit the setting out of all these references; we must make a

selection, but we trust that all who teach others and those who desire the

fullest proof of all that is set forth as truth, will personally acquaint

themselves with the usage of these words in the whole 62 occurrences.

`Ye shall know them by their fruits' (Matt. 7:16).

`Elias is come already, and they knew him not' (Matt. 17:12).

`When Jesus perceived in His spirit' (Mark 2:8).

`The people saw them ... and many knew Him' (Mark 6:33).

`Their eyes were holden that they should not know Him' (Luke 24:16).

In these few references taken from the Gospels, the word `recognize'

could be substituted for `know' with advantage.  We do not `know' a fig -tree

by the mere fact of looking at the fruit it bears, for a `knowledge' of a fig

-tree involves acquaintance with several sciences and thus is but partial;

but the most untutored and illiterate observer would `recognize' a fig -tree

by its fruits, as distinct from say, a thistle or a thorn.  It is a most

natural transition for the word `recognize' to take on a moral colouring, so

that while the recognition of a fig -tree by its fruits may not involve any

self -denial or expose the observer to persecution, it becomes another matter

to `recognize' the rejected Christ or the doctrine which is after godliness.

Let us therefore, with this explanation in mind, consistently use the word

`recognize' or `acknowledge' in place of `knowledge' in the passages which we

are about to consider.

`Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to

the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is

after godliness' (Titus 1:1).

Here the apostle associates his ministry with two phases of Christian

According to the faith of God's elect.  This is basic.

According to a recognition of the Truth.  This is experimental.

This second phase is expanded thus:

`According to a recognition of the truth, which (in its turn) is

according to godliness'.

Paul is inspired to hold an even balance.  He over -stresses neither

the sovereignty of God nor the responsibility of man, but gives each its

place.  The faith of God's elect comes first and this is according to truth.

We love Him because He first loved us.  There could be no recognition of

truth on our part if we had not been preceded by grace.  It is however

entirely untrue to represent the apostle's doctrine as the faith of God's

elect and that only; that is one side of it.

`The Lord knoweth them that are His'.

This elective side lies beyond our control, responsibility or power.