 |  |
That is the elective side, the side that lies beyond our control, responsibility or power.
The other is:
"Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (II Tim. 2: 19).
This is the experimental side, the side that lies within the ambit of our control,
responsibility and power, as those who have received mercy to be faithful.
The possession of the "knowledge" of the truth which is according to godliness is no
guarantee that a "life" of godliness will ensue. But the "acknowledgment" or
"recognition" of such truth does carry with it the idea of taking one's stand, and abiding
by any consequences that may follow.
"Be not . . . . . ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner"
(II Tim. 1: 8).
was a call to Timothy, who "knew" the truth, to "acknowledge" it, or, in the sense
adopted in this series, to "recognize" its claims. The call comes with equal force to us
to-day, when "knowledge" has increased, but when "the godly man ceaseth", and
acknowledgment of the truth, at times, costs dear.
#3.
"Face to face", or future "recognition" of the truths
that lie behind the imagery of human speech.
pp. 58 - 60
The earliest use of epiginosko by Paul, is that found in I Cor. 13: 12:
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known."
In this passage the first "know" is ginosko, the second and third in italics, are
epiginosko. The apostle has been speaking of the transitory character of the gifts enjoyed
by the church, and contrasts the partial knowledge which then obtained, with a future
day, when, in exchange for seeing "through a glass darkly", the believer would see "face
to face": when, instead of the partial knowledge which our very nature imposes, we shall
"recognize" even as we are "recognized". This day of full recognition does not refer to
the present dispensation of the mystery, for, however transcendent the blessings and
superior the calling and sphere of the church of the Body of Christ, no member of that
body sees "face to face", or "recognizes" even as he himself is "recognized" by the Lord
and the higher intelligences of the spiritual world. That day is future, not only for the
Corinthians, but also for us.
Before we can appreciate the Apostle's teaching in I Cor. 13: 12 it will be necessary
to attain some element of certainty as to the figure he uses when he speaks of seeing