Knowledge Without Heart

Knowledge without heart is a dangerous tool that can inflict blunt force trauma and leave behind offense, injury, and alienation.

Paul writes in Colossians 2:2,3:

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ().

Paul is referring to two types of knowledge here: ἐπίγνωσις (epignosis) and γνῶσις (gnosis). The latter (gnosis) is the same Greek word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 8:1 when he writes, "But knowledge puffs up while love builds up." This gnosis type of knowledge is experiential, acquired, applied. For example, I know some of the things it takes to keep my marriage good: good communication, treating my wife kindly, listening to her. I "gnosis" what to do in order to maintain a good relationship with her.

But the first type of knowledge Paul is referring to (epignosis) is relational and revelatory; it is a knowledge that grows in depth of insight, a contact-knowledge. There’s a difference between me knowing what it is like to be married and me knowing my wife. The first type of knowledge has experienced the ins and outs of marriage, what is involved in keeping it going, how many years I have been married, and so forth. The second type of knowledge views, perceives, and understands my wife; it knows who she is. 

I believe that our gnosis knowledge should always come out of our epignosis knowledge of Christ. In him (our relationship with him, knowing him, our epignosis) are hidden all the treasures of gnosis knowledge. We want to avoid being like the Gnostics whose knowledge was built on false spiritual experiences and worldly philosophies, and find our knowledge based on our relationship with Jesus, as we grow in our view of him in truth. This will come as the Holy Spirit gives us revelation in our study and pursuit of truth in Scripture. Jesus is the door to wisdom and knowledge, and we have no legitimate right to that wisdom and knowledge without going through the door.

And this approach (through Christ) leads us to humility because we admit and realize, that none of the wisdom and knowledge that is gained comes from ourselves, but rather is a treasure, a gift, from Jesus. It is all from Him. And we do well to remember that.

"There are no shortcuts." A healthy use of gnosis knowledge comes as we carry the heart of Christ by gaining the epignosis knowledge of Jesus. He is the door to the riches of wisdom and knowledge. Did you pick up on the fact that the applied knowledge (gnosis) is referred to as a treasure? The scripture does encourage us to gain knowledge and wisdom, to use our minds, to pursue understanding, but only after we understand where to find this knowledge - in Christ. Knowledge without connection to the heart of Jesus is unbalanced.

The scripture reveals to us that God is high and lifted up, living in a lofty place, but also dwelling with the lowly. The God of heaven who knows more than you or I will ever know dwells with the humble. He lowers himself to our level, not condescending with contempt, but abiding with lovingly. We must not take ourselves too seriously; for all that we know we must take the attitude of humility that marked the life of Jesus.

Powerful is the humble person who knows their Lord and has gained the wisdom and knowledge that he gives. This person will impact the world around them as they carry the heart of Jesus in truth and love.