Known!

In Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth he acknowledged varying circumstances and treatments he had experienced during his ministry. (i.e. 2 Corinthians 6:4-5) He also acknowledged varying views people had of himself and those who ministered along with him. Note the following contrasting perspectives and then let us consider one of them more specifically.

We read. . .
"(8) . . . We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; (9) AS UNKNOWN, AND YET WELL KNOWN; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; (10) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything." ( 2 Corinthians 6:8b-10 ESV)

We may be struck by the stark contrasts Paul listed. And just like Paul we may wonder about the variation of views people have of us. As I read this list there was one expression of which I had to take a closer look; "WELL KNOWN." Taking a look at the Greek I confirmed what I suspected to be the expression used by Paul. Though we have two words in a number of our English translations (including the English Standard Version quoted above), there is only one word in the Greek. The word in the text is "epiginoskomenoi" which comes from "epiginosko". The root word is "ginosko" which means "to know" and "epi" is intensive and can mean "full". Therefore, "epiginosko" literally means "full knowledge" or "to know thoroughly". It is the quality of acknowledging something AS IT REALLY IS!

Paul knew some did not know him while others did. The Corinthians were among those who should have known him VERY WELL as he had spent a year and a half with them. ( Acts 18:11) In life we experience the same. There are many people who do not know us or at least not very well. Some have no desire to get to know us. Perhaps they have decided what or who we are before they have really had the opportunity to get to know who we REALLY ARE. It generally bothers us when people do not have the right impression of us. However, let us be encouraged by those who do know us; who do have FULL KNOWLEDGE of our character and manner of living. Though we may maintain a desire for all to come to know us better, the opinion of those who do not know us should be disregarded because it is not based on knowledge, but rather on bias or supposition. It is the perception of those who do know us that should matter most. They are the ones who are connected to us and can lovingly admonish us regarding changes we may still need to make in life and encourage us in our walk according to the truth. They are the ones who share our desire to acknowledge God's standard rather than the world's and live pleasing to Him.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy he noted. . .
"(19) But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'" ( 2 Timothy 2:19 ESV)

Let us remember GOD KNOWS US even better than we know ourselves. We are FULLY KNOWN (note 1 Corinthians 13:12) to Him. And to be KNOWN AS HIS should mean more to us than anything else. Therefore, though we may in reality be "unknown" to many, may we be greatly encouraged by the reality of being FULLY KNOWN by God and those with whom we have fellowship in Christ.

Have a great day KNOWING THE CIRCLE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT COUNTS!
Carl

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