What Does the Bible Say About the Knowledge of God?

It is perfectly possible to know God by observing God’s creation, but by becoming part of God’s people, one comes to know God in a more personal way. God reveals himself to his people through his creation, the Bible and, above all, through Jesus Christ. Jesus shows his disciples who God is, and by getting to know Jesus, you have a personal relationship with God.

Bible Verses

“²⁰For 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.” (Ro 1:20a)

“¹⁷Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”” (Ac 14:17)

“¹⁰And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Ps 9:10)

“²⁰So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.”” (Is 37:20)

“⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”” (Jn 14:6–7)

“³He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Heb 1:3a)

“¹⁵No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (Jn 15:15)

“¹⁸For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph 2:18)

“³And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 Jn 2:3–6)

“³And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. … ¹¹For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 Jn 2:3–6, 1 Jn 3:11)

Study Questions

1. How does creation bear witness to who God is?
2. Is it possible to know enough about God to be saved without having heard of the Bible or Jesus?
3. How do you get to know God in a more personal way?
4. What does it mean that we come to know God by obeying his command to love one another?

Additional Bible Verses

Ezek 39:23, 1 Sam 17:46-47, Ecc 3:11