The Gifts: Word of Knowledge
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
January 5, 2000
Introduction
We are continuing our series of studies looking at the specific Gifts of the Spirit.
Some of what we’ve seen so far in general about the gifts:
A gift of the Holy Spirit is a special ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit.
It is not a natural born talent, like music is for some people. A person may indeed be "gifted" in music, but it is not part of our list of gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit.
It is not some kind of earned "merit badge" for good Christians. It is a form of "grace". One of the Greek word for "gifts" is charismata, or, "workings of grace".
The purpose of the gifts in the church is to build up the church.
Word of Knowledge
(1 Cor 12:8 KJV) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
given
– didomi – to give; to give something to someone; of one's own accord to give one something. As we mentioned with the "word of wisdom", this verb is a present tense, meaning that the giving is taking place continually, not just at a single point in time (which would be an aorist tense).word – logos – of speech, a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; what someone has said; discourse; doctrine, teaching; anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative. Logos can also relate to the mind as "reason" or "account", it is also used by John to speak of Jesus Christ.
knowledge – gnosis – knowledge in general intelligence, understanding; the apprehension of truth; the understanding of facts or truths. While wisdom is the proper application of what you know, knowledge is "just the facts".
The word gnosis is found 28 times in the New Testament, and seems to have a fairly broad range of ideas it covers, more than just this special gift of the "word of knowledge".
It can cover the knowledge of "salvation" and Jesus Christ (Luke 1:77; 2Cor. 2:14; 4:6; 10:5; Phil 3:8; 2Pet. 3:18), the "knowledge of the Law" (Luke 11:52; Rom. 2:20), the overall storehouse of "knowledge" that God has (Rom. 11:33), the knowledge of certain doctrines and practices (1Cor. 8:1; 8:7; 8:10, 11), just knowing the facts about another person (1Pet. 3:7).
Don’t think that every time the word "knowledge" appears, it is talking of this special gift. There are two kinds of "faith" in that there is plain ordinary trust in the Lord, and there is a "gift of faith", meaning an over and above ability to trust God. Here, we see that there is knowledge in the general sense, but there is also going to be an "over and above" knowledge in the special gift.
As far as knowing just where this word is used to talk about this gift of the "word of knowledge", we need to limit ourselves to the places where the context seems to be talking about gifts, as in places where other gifts are mentioned. I found five such places –
(1 Cor 1:4-5 KJV) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; {5} That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
(1 Cor 13:2 KJV) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(1 Cor 13:8 KJV) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(1 Cor 14:6 KJV) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
(2 Cor 8:7 KJV) Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Regrettably, none of these passages tell us much specifically about this gift.
Definition of gift:
Knowledge of current persons, places, events, or things that you did not learn by natural means.
It is good to remember that there are different effects with each of the gifts. One person may have a highly developed gift, able to know even a person's name and address, while someone else may be given a knowledge of a person's physical health problems. Another person may be given just the knowledge that something is wrong with a person. No one effect is necessarily better than another.
(1 Cor 12:4-6 KJV) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Lastly, I think there is often a kind of overlapping of the gifts. I’m not sure we can always just say that some particular thing is just a word of knowledge, but often wisdom and prophecy may be involved as well.
Scriptural examples of the gift:
Elisha
The prophet seemed to operate something that might fall in this area. When Naaman came to Elisha to be healed, and he was, he wanted to give Elisha much money as a payment, but Elisha refused. Elisha’s servant thought he’d take advantage of the situation.
(2 Ki 5:20-27 KJV) But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. {21} So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? {22} And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. {23} And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. {24} And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. {25} But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. {26} And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? {27} The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
Somehow, Elisha just knew what Gehazi had done.
Elisha’s gift became rather handy to the King of Israel when his enemies started to attack –
(2 Ki 6:8-12 KJV) Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. {9} And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. {10} And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. {11} Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? {12} And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
Elisha had been close to a particular family. They took care of him, and he was a blessing to them. When the family’s son became ill and died, the woman went to find Elisha –
(2 Ki 4:27 KJV) And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.
We learn something interesting about the gift here. The "word of knowledge" is not "omniscience". A person with this gift doesn’t know everything. The special knowledge only comes when God gives it.
Sometimes, when people recognize a person as having this gift, they get kind of intimidated, thinking that the person knows everything about them. Not true. God will only reveal to them what He feels would be best for you.
Jesus
Jesus often responded to His critics by answering not just their words, but their thoughts.
(Mat 12:22-25 KJV) Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. {23} And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? {24} But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. {25} And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Jesus knew what was inside of people.
(John 2:24-25 KJV) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, {25} And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
When Jesus first found Nathanael –
(John 1:47-51 KJV) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! {48} Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. {49} Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. {50} Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. {51} And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
When Jesus talked with the woman at the well –
(John 4:16-19 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. {17} The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: {18} For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. {19} The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Peter
Something interesting happened with Peter while he was following Jesus –
(Mat 16:13-17 KJV) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? {14} And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. {15} He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? {16} And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. {17} And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Peter spoke up and said something that was profound and true. He spoke something that was a doctrinal truth. And it didn’t come from him, it came from God.
I think there can be an aspect of the word of knowledge that can involve doctrinal truths. But there’s a warning – God will NEVER contradict Himself. If you think you’ve received some new idea about God that isn’t supported in Scripture, then think again.
We see the gift again in Peter after the resurrection –
(Acts 5:1-5 KJV) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
We also see the gift of "discerning of spirits" at work here as well. But Peter’s knowledge of Ananias’ keeping back some of the money was an exercise of the word of knowledge.
How the gift may be used:
Encouragement
– God knows my problem. He sees. He knows.Faith building – often used with healing by stimulating a person's faith to trust God for healing.
I remember one night when one of the folks had a picture in their mind from the Lord about a specific condition in another person. They went on to describe kind of an specific, unusual thing. It was the person sitting right in front of them. Only a few of us knew of the condition beforehand. It was an incredible encouragement for the person to realize that God knew.
Warning: A common thing you may see in some services is where a person will be up front and they will say something like, "Someone in the service has a bad back …". I have to tell you I’m a little skeptical about some of these things. Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to stop anyone from speaking up if they really think that God is wanting us to pray for somebody’s back, but the truth is, probably half of us in here have sore backs. Sometimes a thing like this can be misused and abused when there is nothing supernatural going on at all.
Prayer with others – I’ve seen this gift used in praying for people where someone prays for something that wasn’t asked for, but was certainly needed.
Prayer for others – without telling the person, just quietly interceding for them.
Pastor Chuck writes (Living Water, pg. 113),
"Years ago we were pastoring a community church. One Sunday my wife, Kay, pointed to a fellow in our church who enjoyed a very prominent position in the community. He was a great family man with a tremendous personality. Kay said to me, "When I looked at him this morning, I just knew by the Spirit that he was having an affair with his secretary. It came so strong. I first thought, "Oh, that’s terrible to think such a thing; I should put that out of my mind. But it keeps coming back. He’s having an affair with his secretary." I replied, "Now Kay, the Bible says we shouldn’t have evil imaginations." She answered, "No! Every time I look at him, I see him with his secretary. he’s carrying on!" I insisted, "Oh, come on. Not him!"
A few months later I received a phone call. This man and his wife were on the line together. They tried to speak, but all they got out was a feeble "Pastor Chuck". Then their voices broke, they started sobbing, and couldn’t continue. So I said, "That’s all right. I know what the call is all about."
"You do?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes. You’ve been in an affair with your secretary for the last six months. Come on over and let’s talk and pray about it."
This man and his wife were shocked that I knew exactly what was happening. But the Lord had already shown it to Kay.
I think that sometimes the Lord will give a person insight or knowledge about another person. That doesn’t mean that we are to rush over and say something. Sometimes we are just to be praying.
Teaching/preaching/leading – as you teach, God adds what He wants to get through to people.
(from Living Water, pg. 113-114) There was one time when Pastor Chuck was teaching on false prophets and he thought he’d make up an example as he was teaching. He gave the example of some guy who wore white suits, drove a white convertible Cadillac, lived on Lido Island, and bilked people out of money from his mailing list. That particular study had been on a Sunday night and had gone out live on the radio. The next morning, the church office got a call from a very angry man. Who lived on Lido Island, drove a white convertible Cadillac, wore white suits, and had a mailing list.
In the world - sharing the gospel with this gift - power evangelism - Chuck's friend who would learn names, phone numbers, doctor appointments, etc.
How the gift may be misused:
By drawing attention to yourself - setting up a sideshow, Peter Popov.
By shredding a person in front of the group - maybe you should have talked to them privately, or just prayed for them. When God gives you a revelation, you not only need to test it to see if it is from God, but also need to have discernment on what to do with it.
Prov.10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
As a speaking gift - abuse of the tongue. Avoid too many words.
Prov.10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
God may have given you a word of knowledge, but we need to also exercise love and wisdom in how we use that knowledge. You can have knowledge and still be a fool.