In a biblical sense, true knowledge includes all facts concerning God and His works, both spiritual and material (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). God Himself has perfect knowledge, i.e., omniscience (see also GOD, attributes of, omniscient) (Psalms 147:5; cf. 139:1-6), and He has created man in His own image with finite capacity for knowledge (Genesis 1:26-27; cf. Colossians 3:10). The OT emphasizes the personal, relational, and experiential dimensions of knowledge involved in the ongoing process of life. This dynamic and life-related concept of knowledge affects the will and emotions as well as the intellect (e.g., Genesis 2:17; 4:1 marg.; Isaiah 47:8; 53:3; Jeremiah 3:13 marg.; 16:21; Ezekiel 25:14). The Greeks viewed knowledge as a cognitive and contemplative relationship to objective reality in its static and abstract being (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21-22) or as a mystical mergence of the knower with God. Knowledge of God and reverence for Him are primary knowledge for man (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; cf. Psalms 14:1). The NT further emphasizes that eternal life involves a personal knowledge of "the only true God" (John 17:3) as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20). However, God also created man to gain knowledge of His natural creation and to rule the earth as God's steward (Genesis 1:28). Since man is finite, both his spiritual and natural knowledge are always limited in breadth and in depth (Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 11:33-34; 1 Corinthians 8:2).
This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.