The Word of Knowledge
12: 8b
Paul begins with two gifts that sound very much alike, the word of wisdom (to see link click Ck – The Word of Wisdom) and the word of knowledge. The Greek word for knowledge is gnosis. As with the first term, this is Paul’s way of rescuing the Ruach’s gifting from the Corinthians’ own fascination with “knowledge” and it related pride (see Bl – Let Love Control Knowledge). The word of knowledge is a broad term, which basically refers to perceiving and understanding truths of God’s Word, especially the gift of communicating insight into the mysteries of His revelation. Those truths that could not be known apart from the Spirit’s revelation (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3; Colossians 1:26, 2:2, 4:3; First Corinthians 13:2).
ADONAI gives certain believers a special ability to study His Word and discover the deeper meaning of the text and context that pastors and teachers read about in commentaries and systematic theologies. This is how the word of knowledge differs from the gift of teaching (Romans 12:7; First Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11). The person that is gifted with the word of knowledge is usually well-versed in the Scriptures and often has committed much of it to memory. They give insights into individual words and phrases and of related passages and truths, and thereby providing understanding to others. Perhaps the best insight on this is found in the phrase know all mysteries and all knowledge (13:2). The word mystery always signifies divine truth that God was hidden at some point in time. Most often it refers to truths hidden from the righteous of the TaNaKh during the Dispensation of Torah (see the commentary on Exodus Da – The Dispensation of the Torah) that have been revealed in the Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:3-5). This gift is the capacity of grasping the deeper meaning of God’s Word, which is a mystery to the natural mind.
This gift is foundational for all biblical teaching and preaching, as well as for the proper exercise of counseling, leadership, wisdom and other ministries and gifts. If a person does not have the ability himself, he must rely on those who do in order to exercise his own gifts rightly. The teacher or preacher is especially dependent on knowledge, because he is commissioned to teach or preach God’s truths to others.
A believer with the gift of knowledge may be highly trained in biblical languages, history, archaeology, or theology. But another person with the same gift may have limited formal education. In either case, the ability to comprehend spiritual truth is God-given. The gifted person is supernaturally enabled not only to discover truths from the facts of Scripture but to explain and interpret those truths in order to help others understand them. As with all the other gifts, it comes in many forms and degrees. One believer may have greater ability in this one area alone, while another may have a moderate, or secondary, ability here, mixed with another, stronger, spiritual gift.
The human writers of Scripture had the gift of knowledge in a unique way. God gave them truths directly, which they recorded as part of His written Word. Since the closing of the canon of Scripture, however, the gift has not involved the receiving of new truth, but only the understanding of truth previously revealed. Anyone today who claims to have a divine revelation is a deceiver and contradicts God’s own Word, which expressly warns that if anyone adds or takes away from it will suffer the judgment of God (Revelation 22:18-19). Any word of divine knowledge or wisdom must be based on the Word of God, which was once and for all passed on to God’s people (Jude 3).365
First Corinthians 13:8 says the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge will cease. Although knowledge appears in the same verse, it is not in the same category as prophecy or tongues, which are temporary sign gifts. Knowledge will cease when the perfect comes, which is the Eternal State (see the commentary on Revelation Fq – The Eternal State), when we will not even have the Bible. We will no longer need the written Word because we will be eternally in the presence and full comprehension of the Living Word.
Just as it is important to understand what the word of knowledge is, it is equally important to understand what it is not. What do I say to a friend who is attracted to the charismatic “word of knowledge” that can give insight into one’s future? The first question is, “Is this really true to the Bible?” It must conform to the rest of the teachings of the Word of God. There are those today that will come up to you and say, “I have a word of knowledge for you from the Lord,” and proceed to tell you things about your personal life that are supposed to happen now or in the future. I get very concerned about present day “revelations,” which, in practical terms, seem to carry more weight than the Word of God. Further, I think that godly counsel is a good source of input as to God’s will, as opposed to consulting a kind of “spiritual guru,” who tells you God’s will for your life.366
Dear Wise Heavenly Father, Praise You that Your wisdom is not limited to known facts. Nothing is hidden from Your all-knowing and all seeing eyes. No person no matter how clever can pull something over on You. You see thoughts. Whenever I sit down or stand up, You know it. You discern my thinking from afar (Psalms 139:2). You know what a person will say even before he knows it himself! Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, ADONAI, You know all about it (Psalms 139:4). More important and amazing is that You know the purposes of our hearts. The Lord . . . will bring to light the things hidden in darkness and also make clear the motives of the hearts (First Corinthians 4:5b).
Rewards in heaven will not be based on what looks to the world like a great deed, but rather You will test the heart motive of the deed with fire. For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid – which is Yeshua the Messiah. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work – what sort it is. If anyone’s work built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward (First Corinthians 3:11-14). Thank You for Your love which forgives those who fear You (Psalms 103:11-12) and rewards those whose hearts love You. I desire to lovingly serve You with all my thoughts, actions and money. My whole being. You are worthy! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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