Love Knowledge & Discernment

Phil :9-11. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul opens this letter to the Philippian Church, led by Timothy, as he would often do. He prayed for the people and thanked God for His Grace for all. In this specific text, Paul prays that our love abounds more and more, but that as it abounds, it embraces both knowledge and discernment. Now, in the Greek, both of these words mean nearly the same thing:

ἐπίγνωσις: recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgment.

αἴσθησις: perception, i.e. (figuratively) discernment

So what is he saying? As you become supersaturated in the Love of Christ, you will recognize Him more, and you will perceive His will more. You will know Him more! In knowing Him, you will know what to do and how to move. How to be excellent at sincerity and forgiveness, which will show up as you walk in the righteousness Jesus has provided us all. As you do this, God is glorified through your praise and actions towards others.

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