as acquaintance with passwords. It is not the kind of mysterious gnosis which teachers of the gnostic type claimed for their “initiates.” On the contrary, it is penetrating insight into God’s wonderful, redemptive revelation in Jesus Christ, a discernment with fruits for practical life, as the immediately following context (verse 10) also indicates. It results from fellowship with God and leads to deeper fellowship. Hence, this clear knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις) is heart-transforming and life-renewing.