Nature of knowing God

The origin of knowing God

Knowing God depends on revelation

Romans 11:33–36 ESV

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

See also Is 40:13; Dt 29:29; Nu 12:6; Nu 23:3; Job 12:22; Is 40:5; Is 65:1; Eze 20:5; Da 2:20–23; Da 2:28

Am 4:13; Mt 11:25–27 Jesus Christ praises the Father for the revelation the disciples receive; Ro 16:25–26; Ga 1:12; Eph 3:4–5

God gives knowledge of his reality through creation

Romans 1:20 ESV

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

See also Ps 8:1; Ps 19:1–4; Ps 97:6; Ac 14:17; Ac 17:24–27

God gives knowledge of his mercy and his will through Scripture, both law and gospel

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

See also Dt 31:13; Ac 10:36; 1 Co 1:20–21; Heb 8:10–11; Je 31:33–34

God gives knowledge of himself through Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:27 ESV

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

See also Jn 3:2; Jn 8:19; Jn 10:32; Jn 14:7; Jn 16:30; Jn 17:3; Col 2:2; 2 Ti 1:9–10; 1 Pe 1:20–21

God gives knowledge of himself and his ways through the Spirit

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

See also Is 11:2; Jn 14:16–17; Jn 14:26; Jn 15:26; Jn 16:12–15; Ac 4:31; 1 Co 2:9–11; 1 Co 12:8; Eph 3:16–19; 1 Pe 1:12

God gives knowledge of his greatness and grace through experience of him, submission to him and in answer to prayer

Psalm 56:9–11 ESV

Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

See also Ex 9:29; Ps 17:6–7; Ps 66:19–20; Is 41:19–20; Is 45:3–6; Is 50:4; Is 60:16; Je 22:16; Je 24:7; Eze 6:7

The nature of knowing God

Knowing his character

Jonah 4:2 ESV

And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.

See also Dt 7:9; Ps 9:10; Ps 36:10; Ps 135:5; 1 Th 4:3–5; 1 Jn 4:8; 1 Jn 4:16

Knowing his words and works

Amos 3:7 ESV

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

See also Ge 41:25 Pharaoh; Ex 6:6–7; Ex 7:5; Ex 7:17; Ex 18:11; Dt 29:29

Samuel:

1 Sa 3:7; 1 Sa 3:21

David:

1 Sa 17:46; 2 Sa 7:21; 2 Sa 7:27

2 Ki 8:10 Elisha; 2 Ki 19:19 Hezekiah; Ps 147:19; Eze 20:9; Lk 2:26 Simeon; Jn 17:8; Ac 2:22; Ac 22:14

To know Jesus Christ is to know God

Jn 14:6; Col 1:15

See also Mt 16:16–17; Jn 8:19; Jn 15:15; Jn 16:15; Jn 17:26; Col 2:2–3; 1 Jn 5:20

To know God is to experience his salvation

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

See also Ps 17:6–7; Is 25:9; Is 43:12; Is 52:10; Is 56:1; 1 Jn 5:13; 1 Jn 5:20