Those with the spiritual gift of knowledge, when prompted by the Holy Spirit, are able to focus their abilities in the accumulation and organization of information. Curiosity and spiritual motivation drive the person to comprehend matters of God and the Church at a deeper level than the average member of the body. They cultivate and collect information not only from the Bible but from others with the gifts of teaching and wisdom. The Holy Spirit enables those with this gift the ability to understand in an exceptional way the great truths of God’s Word and to make them relevant to specific situations in the church.
As with all the spiritual gifts this is a divine enablement of knowledge and will, not something driven by a person’s own interests or curiosity. When speaking with someone with this gift you soon discover a deeper passion for the topic that is outside of that person’s day to day work or persona.
The gift of knowledge is the ability to understand spiritual truths and insights that are not easily perceived through natural means. It is a supernatural gift that enables a person to have a deep understanding of God’s will and purpose, and to use that knowledge to help others.
Those who have the gift of knowledge are able to discern truth from falsehood and have a deep understanding of Scripture. They are often able to explain complex spiritual concepts in a way that is easy to understand, and they may have an ability to uncover hidden or obscure meanings in the Bible.
However, it’s important to note that the spiritual gift of knowledge does not necessarily mean a person has access to all knowledge or is all-knowing. Rather, it is a specific gift that allows a person to understand and share insights that pertain to God’s kingdom and His will.
Knowledge vs. Wisdom
It is important to point out the differences between this gift and the gift of wisdom. W Robertson Nicole, in his work The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Volume Two, writes about the gift of Wisdom and Knowledge in this manner:
“’Wisdom’ is the larger acquisition. – the truth of God wrought into man; ‘knowledge’ is that truth intellectually apprehended and objectified…both gifts serve the church; they are the qualifications of pastor and teacher respectively. ‘The Spirit’ is the channel conveying Wisdom; ‘the same spirit’ is the standard regulating knowledge.”(Nicoll, 888, emphasis mine)
Knowledge is the fuel for wisdom. While a person with the gift of knowledge seeks answers through study and investigation, the person with the gift of wisdom is able to use the knowledge to understand a deeper meaning of given situations. These two gifts compliment one another in special ways the other gifts do not. The balance of these gifts is important to the body, whereas too much knowledge without wisdom can create confusion and competing directions. On the other hand, too much wisdom without knowledge can lead to misunderstandings of guidance and failure to properly interpret the Holy Spirit’s will. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit’s will cannot be understood by an imbalance of the gifts but it certainly will hinder the body’s abilities to do so.
Martin Luther on The Gift of Knowledge
Luther believed that knowledge was a gift of the Holy Spirit that enabled believers to understand God’s truth as revealed in Scripture. He believed that this gift was particularly important for pastors and teachers, who were called to accurately interpret and explain the Bible to others.
In his writing and preaching, Luther emphasized the importance of a deep knowledge of Scripture and theology, and he believed that this knowledge was essential for a vibrant and growing faith. He saw the spiritual gift of knowledge as a means of equipping believers to discern truth from error and to resist false teachings.
However, Luther also recognized that knowledge alone was not enough, and that it needed to be accompanied by faith and obedience. He emphasized that true knowledge of God was not a purely intellectual pursuit, but a matter of the heart, involving a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Overall, Luther saw the spiritual gift of knowledge as a valuable and necessary gift for the church, but also emphasized the importance of humility and a servant’s heart in the use of this gift. He believed that knowledge should be used to serve others and to advance the cause of Christ, rather than for personal gain or pride.
John Wesley on the Spiritual Gift of Knowledge
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, viewed the spiritual gift of knowledge as a special grace given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the building up of the church. He believed that this gift involved a deep understanding of the truths of the faith and the ability to communicate them to others.
Wesley saw the gift of knowledge as closely related to the gift of wisdom, but with a particular emphasis on the acquisition and communication of knowledge. He believed that those who possessed the gift of knowledge were able to grasp the meaning of Scripture and to explain it in a way that was clear and understandable to others.
In addition to its intellectual aspect, Wesley believed that the gift of knowledge also involved a deep spiritual insight into the ways of God. He believed that those who possessed this gift were able to discern the will of God and to apply it to their lives and the lives of others.
Wesley also emphasized the importance of humility and love in the exercise of the gift of knowledge. He believed that those who possessed this gift should use it to build up the church and to serve others, rather than to elevate themselves or to engage in arguments and debates.
Overall, John Wesley viewed the gift of knowledge as an important tool for building up the church and communicating the truths of the faith. He saw it as involving both intellectual and spiritual insight, and emphasized the importance of humility and love in its exercise.
The Catholic Church on the Spiritual Gift of Knowledge
In the Catholic Church, the spiritual gift of knowledge is considered one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is viewed as a supernatural gift that enables the believer to understand the mysteries of faith and to see the world through the lens of God’s wisdom.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the gift of knowledge as “the capacity to contemplate God in the created world, and to discern the supernatural in the midst of the natural” (CCC 1831). It is seen as a gift that allows the believer to recognize the goodness and beauty of God’s creation, and to understand the ways in which God is at work in the world.
The gift of knowledge is closely related to the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly wisdom and understanding. It is seen as a gift that enables the believer to apply the knowledge and understanding that come from the other gifts in a practical and effective way.
In the Catholic tradition, the gift of knowledge is often associated with the intellectual life, particularly with theology and the study of Scripture. However, it is also seen as a gift that can be applied in a wide range of settings, from scientific research to the arts and humanities.
Like all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gift of knowledge is developed and exercised through prayer and the sacraments. Through prayer, the believer can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and receive the guidance and discernment needed to exercise this gift effectively. And through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation, the believer can receive the grace needed to overcome obstacles to knowledge, such as pride and self-centeredness.
People with this Gift:
- Receive truth which enables them to better serve the body
- Desire to search the scriptures and the works of other teachers for insight, understanding, and truth
- Gain knowledge which at times was not attained by natural means
- Organize information for teaching and practical use (but not necessarily the teacher)
- Generally someone who loves to read
- Not afraid to research new insights or revelations
- Quick to try and understand the meaning behind ideas and challenges
- Sometimes introverted; needs to be drawn out
- The gift of knowledge is present in those with the greater gift of teaching
The Apostle Paul wrote extensively about this gift and others. Learn more by visiting our Bible study information by following this link -> Unpacking the Apostle Paul
Bible References
| 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 | Solomon Asks for wisdom and knowledge |
| Proverbs 2-4 | Solomon’s teaching on wisdom and knowledge |
| Proverbs 9:10 | “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” |
| Daniel 2:20-21 | Daniel’s praise to God for the knowledge given him |
| 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 | Paul’s mention of the spiritual gift of knowledge |
| 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 | Using your gift for others in love |
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- Bryant, 108-110
- Nicoll, 888
Other Gifts
- Spiritual Gift of Discernment
- Spiritual Gift of Faith
- Spiritual Gift of Miracles
- Spiritual Gift of Tongues
- Spiritual Gift of Helping
- Spiritual Gift of Healing
- Spiritual Gift of Exhortation
- Spiritual Gift of Compassion and Mercy
- Spiritual Gift of Giving
- Spiritual Gift of Servanthood
- Spiritual Gift of Leadership
- Spiritual Gift of Wisdom
- Spiritual Gift of Administration
