According as his divine power hath given unto us all

 

things that pertain unto life and godliness, through

 

the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and

 

virtue (2 Peter 1:3).

 

The word "knowledge" in the verse above is the Greek "epignosis," and it means exact or precise knowledge; full

 

knowledge with intimacy. It means full comprehension, recognition, or perception; to become fully acquainted with God. This is the knowledge He seeks for us to have of Him. Our opening verse says, we’ve been called to glory and virtue; that means a life of glory, honour, dignity and excellence; but notice how this life works: it’s through the knowledge—"epignosis" of Him.

 

The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, shows us how

 

to get this knowledge of God in His prayer for the

 

Church: " That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the

 

Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom

 

and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of

 

your understanding being enlightened…" (Ephesians

 

1:17-18). What does this mean?

 

He’s saying that as you get to know God through this

 

kind of special relationship or acquaintance, He’ll grant

 

you insight into reality. Yes, God has appointed you to a

 

life of honour, dignity, and excellence, but as you learn

 

about Him, as you meditate on the Word, secrets about

 

this life, and how to walk in the reality of it are unveiled

 

to you.

 

It reminds of yet another powerful truth in 2 Peter 1:2:

 

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the

 

knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." Again, the

 

word translated knowledge here is "epignosis." So, in

 

addition to a life of honour, dignity, and excellence,

 

grace and peace can be multiplied in your life as you

 

meditate on the Word of God.