Gnosis - wikipedia Gnosis For other uses, see Gnosis ( disambiguation ). Part of a series on Gnosticism Gnosis Gnosis Enlightenment ( spiritual ) Western Revelation Divine illumination Divine light Eastern Jnana Bodhi Prajna Buddhism Hinduism Gnostic sects List of Gnostic sects Syrian - Egyptic Sethianism Samaritan Baptist sects Dositheos Simon Magus ( Simonians ) Menander Basilides ( Basilideans ) Rome Valentinus ( Valentinianism ) Christian Gnosticism Cerinthus Marcion ( Marcionism ) Nicolaism Persian Manichaeism Chinese Manichaeism Mandaeism Sabians Modern Modern schools Scriptures Texts Nag Hammadi library Pseudo-Abdias Clementine literature Gnosticism and the New Testament Codices Codex Tchacos Cologne Mani - Codex Askew Codex Bruce Codex Berlin Codex Influenced by Merkabah mysticism Apocalyptic literature Messiah Philo Middle Platonism John the Baptist Early Christianity Christology Docetism Wisdom ( personification ) Influence on Neoplatonism and Gnosticism Western esotericism Perennial philosophy Esoteric Christianity Theosophy Carl Jung Gnosticism in modern times Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge ( γνῶσις, gnôsis, f. ). The term is used in various Hellenistic religions and philosophies. It is best known from Gnosticism, where it signifies a knowledge or insight into man 's real nature as Divine, leading to the deliverance of the Divine spark within man from the constraints of earthly existence. Contents 1 Etymology 1.1 Gnosis 1.2 Gnostikos 1.3 Gnosticism 2 Judeo - Christian usage 2.1 Hellenistic Jewish literature 2.2 New Testament 2.3 In the writings of the Greek Fathers 2.4 In Eastern Orthodox thought 3 Gnosticism 4 See also 5 References 6 Sources Etymology Gnosis Gnosis is a feminine Greek noun which means `` knowledge ''. It is often used for personal knowledge compared with intellectual knowledge ( εἶδειν eídein ), as with the French connaitre compared with savoir, the Spanish conocer compared with saber, or the German kennen rather than wissen. Latin dropped the initial g ( which was preserved in Greek ) so gno - becomes no - as in noscō meaning `` I know '', noscentia meaning `` knowledge '' and notus meaning `` known ''. The g remains in the Latin co-gni - tio meaning `` knowledge '' and i - gno - tus and i - gna - rus meaning `` unknown '' and from which comes the word i - gno - rant, and a-gno - stic which means `` not knowing '' and once again this reflects the Sanskrit jna which means `` to know '', `` to perceive '' or `` to understand ''. Gnostikos A related term is the adjective gnostikos, `` cognitive '', a reasonably common adjective in Classical Greek. Plato uses the plural adjective γνωστικοί -- gnostikoi and the singular feminine adjective γνωστικὴ ἐπιστήμη -- gnostike episteme in his Politikos where Gnostike episteme was also used to indicate one 's aptitude. The terms do not appear to indicate any mystic, esoteric or hidden meaning in the works of Plato, but instead expressed a sort of higher intelligence and ability analogous to talent. Plato The Statesman 258e -- Stranger : In this way, then, divide all science into two arts, calling the one practical ( praktikos ), and the other purely intellectual ( gnostikos ). Younger Socrates : Let us assume that all science is one and that these are its two forms. In the Hellenistic era the term became associated with the mystery cults. Gnosis is used throughout Greek philosophy as a technical term for experience knowledge ( see gnosiology ) in contrast to theoretical knowledge or epistemology. The term is also related to the study of knowledge retention or memory ( see also cognition ), in relation to ontic or ontological, which is how something actually is rather than how something is captured ( abstraction ) and stored ( memory ) in the mind. Gnosticism Irenaeus used the phrase `` knowledge falsely so - called '' ( pseudonymos gnosis, from 1 Timothy 6 : 20 ) for the title of his book On the Detection and Overthrow of False Knowledge, that contains the adjective gnostikos, which is the source for the 17th - century English term `` Gnosticism ''. Judeo - Christian usage Hellenistic Jewish literature The Greek word gnosis ( knowledge ) is a standard translation of the Hebrew word `` knowledge '' ( דעת da ` ath ) in the Septuagint, thus : The Lord gives wisdom ( sophia ), from his face come knowledge ( gnosis ) and understanding ( sunesis ) '' -- Proverbs 2.6 Philo also refers to the `` knowledge '' ( gnosis ) and `` wisdom '' ( sophia ) of God. New Testament Paul distinguishes `` knowledge '' ( gnosis ) and `` knowledge falsely so - called '' ( pseudonymos gnosis ). In the writings of the Greek fathers The fathers of early Christianity used the word `` knowledge '' ( gnosis ) in the New Testament to mean spiritual knowledge or specific knowledge of the divine. This positive usage was to contrast it with how gnostic sectarians used the word. This positive use carried over from Hellenic philosophy into Greek Orthodoxy as a critical characteristic of ascetic practices, through St. Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Hippolytus of Rome, Hegesippus, and Origen. Cardiognosis ( `` knowledge of the heart '' ) from Eastern Christianity related to the tradition of the staretz and in Roman Catholic theology is the view that only God knows the condition of one 's relationship with God. In Eastern Orthodox thought Gnosis in Orthodox Christian ( especially Eastern Orthodox ) thought is the spiritual knowledge of a saint ( one who has obtained theosis ) or mystically enlightened human being. Within the cultures of the term 's provenance ( Byzantine and Hellenic ) Gnosis was a knowledge or insight into the infinite, divine and uncreated in all and above all, rather than knowledge strictly into the finite, natural or material world. Gnosis is a transcendental as well as mature understanding. It indicates direct spiritual experiential knowledge and intuitive knowledge, mystic rather than that from rational or reasoned thinking. Gnosis itself is obtained through understanding at which one can arrive via inner experience or contemplation such as an internal epiphany of intuition and external epiphany such as the Theophany. In the Philokalia it is emphasized that such knowledge is not secret knowledge but rather a maturing, transcendent form of knowledge derived from contemplation ( theoria resulting from practice of hesychasm ), since knowledge can not truly be derived from knowledge but rather knowledge can only be derived from theoria ( to witness, see ( vision ) or experience ). Knowledge thus plays an important role in relation to theosis ( deification / personal relationship with God ) and theoria ( revelation of the divine, vision of God ). Gnosis, as the proper use of the spiritual or noetic faculty plays an important role in Orthodox Christian theology. Its importance in the economy of salvation is discussed periodically in the Philokalia where as direct, personal knowledge of God ( noesis ; see also Noema ) it is distinguished from ordinary epistemological knowledge ( episteme -- i.e., speculative philosophy ). Gnosticism Main article : Gnosticism Gnosticism originated in the late first century CE in nonrabbinical Jewish sects and early Christian sects. In the formation of Christianity, various sectarian groups, labeled `` gnostics '' by their opponents, emphasised spiritual knowledge ( gnosis ) of the Divine spark within, over faith ( pistis ) in the teachings and traditions of the various communities of Christians. Gnosticism presents a distinction between the highest, unknowable God, and the demiurge `` creator '' of the material. The Gnostics considered the most essential part of the process of salvation to be this personal knowledge, in contrast to faith as an outlook in their world view along with faith in the ecclesiastical authority. They were regarded as heretics by the Fathers of the early church. See also Religion portal Aseity Chaos magic Fana ( Sufism ) Gnosticism Gnosticism in modern times Ilm, Islamic concept of knowledge and gnosis Jnana Hans Jonas Neoplatonism and Gnosticism Kurt Rudolph Satori Valentinus ( Gnostic ) Samael Aun Weor References Jump up ^ Stanley E. Porter ; David Yoon ( 2016 ). Paul and Gnosis. BRILL. p. 9. ISBN 978 - 90 - 04 - 31669 - 0. ^ Jump up to : Kurt Rudolph ( 2001 ). Gnosis : The Nature and History of Gnosticism. A&C Black. p. 2. ISBN 978 - 0 - 567 - 08640 - 2. ^ Jump up to : Gnosticism, Encyclopædia Britannica Jump up ^ Liddell Scott entry γνῶσις, εως, ἡ, A. seeking to know, inquiry, investigation, esp. judicial, `` τὰς τῶν δικαστηρίων γ. '' D. 18.224 ; `` τὴν κατὰ τοῦ διαιτητοῦ γ. '' Id. 21.92, cf. 7.9, Lycurg. 141 ; `` γ. περὶ τῆς δίκης '' PHib. 1.92. 13 ( iii B.C. ). 2. result of investigation, decision, PPetr. 3p. 118 ( iii B.C. ). II. knowing, knowledge, Heraclit. 56 ; opp. ἀγνωσίη, Hp. Vict. 1.23 ( dub. ) ; opp. ἄγνοια, Pl. R. 478c ; `` ἡ αἴσθησις γ. τις '' Arist. GA731a33 : pl., `` Θεὸς γνώσεων κύριος '' LXX 1 Ki. 2.3. b. higher, esoteric knowledge, 1 Ep. Cor. 8.7, 10, Ep. Eph. 3.19, etc. ; `` χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν νοῦν, λόγον, γνῶσιν '' PMag. Par. 2.290. 2. acquaintance with a person, πρός τινα Test. ap. Aeschin. 1.50 ; `` τῶν Σεβαστῶν '' IPE1. 47.6 ( Olbia ). 3. recognizing, Th. 7.44. 4. means of knowing, ( `` αἱ αἰσθήσεις ) κυριώταται τῶν καθ  ̓ ἕκαστα γ. '' Arist. Metaph. 981b11. III. being known, γνῶσιν ἔχει τι, = γνωστόν ἐστι, Pl. Tht. 206b. 2. fame, credit, Hdn. 7.5. 5, Luc. Herod. 3. IV. means of knowing : hence, statement in writing, PLond. 5.1708, etc. ( vi A.D. ). V. = γνῶμα, Hsch. s.h.v. Jump up ^ Pagels, Elaine ( 1995 ). The Origin of Satan. Allen Lane, The Penguin Press. p. 167. Jump up ^ LSJ entry γνωστ - ικός, ή, όν, A. of or for knowing, cognitive : ἡ - κή ( sc. ἐπιστήμη ), theoretical science ( opp. πρακτική ), Pl. Plt. 258e, etc. ; τὸ γ. ib. 261b ; `` ἕξεις γ. '' Arist. AP0. 100a11 ( Comp. ) ; `` γ. εἰκόνες '' Hierocl.in CA25p. 475M. : c. gen., able to discern, Ocell. 2.7. Adv. `` - κῶς '' Procl. Inst. 39, Dam. Pr. 79, Phlp.in Ph. 241.22. Jump up ^ In Perseus databank 10x Plato, Cratylus, Theaetetus, Sophist, Statesman 2x Plutarch, Compendium libri de animae procreatione + De animae procreatione in Timaeo, 2x Pseudo-Plutarch, De musica Jump up ^ Cooper and Hutchinson. `` Introduction to Politikos. '' Cooper, John M. & Hutchinson, D.S. ( Eds. ) ( 1997 ). Plato : Complete Works, Hackett Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 0 - 87220 - 349 - 2. Jump up ^ Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vol. 12 translated by Harold N. Fowler. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press ; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ^ Jump up to : feminine nominative adjective Jump up ^ New Testament studies : Society for New Testament Studies - 1981 `` see also the more extensive analysis of gnosis in Philo by Hans Jonas, Gnosis und spatantiker Geist 11 / 1 '' Jump up ^ Donald K. McKim, Westminster dictionary of theological terms, 1996, p. 39 Jump up ^ A concise dictionary of theology by Gerald O'Collins, Edward G. Farrugia pg 130 Publisher : T. & T. Clark Publishers ( August 30, 2004 ) ISBN 978 - 0 - 567 - 08354 - 8 ( 1 ) Jump up ^ `` Spiritual knowledge is the state of spiritual theoria, when one sees invisibly and hears inaudibly and comprehends incomprehensibly the glory of God. Precisely then comprehension ceases and, what is more, he understands that he does not understand. Within the vision of the uncreated Light man also sees angels and Saints and, in general, he experiences communion with the angels and the Saints. He is then certain that resurrection exists. This is the spiritual knowledge which all the holy Prophets, the Apostles, Martyrs, ascetics and all the Saints of the Church had. The teachings of the Saints are an offspring of this spiritual knowledge. And, naturally, as we said earlier, spiritual knowledge is a fruit of the vision of God. `` THE ILLNESS AND CURE OF THE SOUL '' Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos ( 2 ) Jump up ^ St. Symeon the New Theologian in Practical & Theological Discourses, 1.1 The Philokalia Volume Four : When men search for God with their bodily eyes they find Him nowhere, for He is invisible. But for those who ponder in the Spirit He is present everywhere. He is in all, yet beyond all Jump up ^ Faith And Science In Orthodox Gnosiology And Methodology by George Metallinos `` The scientist and professor of the knowledge of the Uncreated, in the Orthodox Tradition, is the Geron / Starets ( the Elder or Spiritual Father ), the guide or `` teacher of the desert. '' The recording of both types of knowledge presupposes empirical knowledge of the phenomenon. The same holds true in the field of science, where only the specialist understands the research of other scientists of the same field. The adoption of conclusions or findings of a scientific branch by non-specialists ( i.e. those who are unable to experimentally examine the research of the specialists ) is based on the trust of the specialists credibility. Otherwise, there would be no scientific progress. The same holds true for the science of faith. The empirical knowledge of the Saints, Prophets, Apostles, Fathers and Mothers of all ages is adopted and founded upon the same trust. The patristic tradition and the Church 's Councils function on this provable experience. There is no Ecumenical Council without the presence of the glorified / deified ( theoumenoi ), those who see the divine ( this is the problem of the councils of today ! ) Orthodox doctrine results from this relationship. '' University of Athens - Department of Theology Jump up ^ The Philokalia Volume Four Palmer, G.E.H ; Sherrard, Philip ; Ware, Kallistos ( Timothy ). ISBN 0 - 571 - 19382 - X, glossary, pg 434, Spiritual Knowledge ( γνῶσις ) : the knowledge of the intellect ( q.v. ). As such, it is knowledge inspired by God, as insight ( noesis ) or revelational, intuitive knowledge ( see gnosiology ) and so linked with contemplation and immediate spiritual perception. Jump up ^ Glossary of terms from the Philokalia pg 434 the knowledge of the intellect as distinct from that of the reason ( q.v. ). Knowledge inspired by God, and so linked with contemplation ( q.v. ) and immediate spiritual perception. Jump up ^ The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, SVS Press, 1997. ( ISBN 0 - 913836 - 31 - 1 ) James Clarke & Co Ltd, 2002. ( ISBN 0 - 227 - 67919 - 9 ) pg 218 Jump up ^ Magris 2005, p. 3515 - 3516. Jump up ^ The Social World of the First Christians ( 1995 ) ISBN 0 - 06 - 064586 - 5, essay `` Prolegomena to the Study of Ancient Gnosticism '' by Bentley Layton ( 3 ) Sources Magris, Aldo ( 2005 ), `` Gnosticism : Gnosticism from its origins to the Middle Ages ( further considerations ) '', in Jones, Lindsay, MacMillan Encyclopdia of Religion, MacMillan Gnosticism topics Proto - Gnostics Basilides Cerinthus Marcion Marcus Philo Simon Magus Valentinus Early Gnosticism Borborites Cainites Carpocratians Marcosians Nicolaites Ophites Thomasenes Syrian - Egyptic Gnosticism Archontics Bardaisanites Basilideans Sethians Thomasenes Valentinians Persian Gnosticism Mandaeism Manichaeism Sabianism Gnosticism in the Middle Ages Bogomilism Catharism Paulicianism Gnosticism in modern times Apostolic Johannite Church Carl Jung Charles William King Ecclesia Gnostica Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Elaine Pagels Gilles Quispel G.R.S. Mead Hans Jonas Madame Blavatsky Jules Doinel Marvin Meyer Nag Hammadi library Stephan Hoeller The Gnostic Society Gnostic texts Askew Codex Bruce Codex Codex Tchacos Gnostic Gospels Nag Hammadi library Pistis Sophia / Faith - Wisdom more Gnostic Gospels Gospel of Judas Gospel of Marcion / Gospel of the Lord Gospel of Mary Gospel of Philip Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Truth more Important concepts Abrasax / Abraxas Aeon Archon Demiurge Gnosis Monad Pleroma Sophia terms Related articles Bosnian Church Buddhism and Gnosticism Christianity and Gnosticism Hermeticism Esoteric Christianity Gnostic sects Neoplatonism and Gnosticism Pythagoreanism Thelema Theosophy GND : 4021391 - 2 BNF : cb11944981z ( data ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gnosis&oldid=805108089 '' Categories : Gnosticism Spiritual faculties Theology Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2011 Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Català Cymraeg Euskara فارسی Français Frysk Italiano Lietuvių Nederlands Norsk Occitan Polski Русский Sicilianu Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Українська اردو Edit links This page was last edited on 13 October 2017, at 03 : 00. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what does the word gnosis mean in greek
Answer: knowledge