Can We Really Know God?

The title above was the question posed on the cover of the October 15, 2006 issue of THE WATCHTOWER. An article contained in the magazine, which carried the same title, sought to provide an answer to this important question.

The article states that man has the ability to “have accurate knowledge of God’s will.” According to the article, Jesus plainly showed that it is possible for humans to gain knowledge about God when he said in John 17:3 of the New World Translation (NWT): “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”

This verse by Jesus, says the article, clearly demonstrates that we can access “the wisdom and knowledge that God reveals—but only if we exert ourselves in doing such.” The article also asserts that “God’s gift to those who do so is everlasting life, so this search is certainly worthwhile.” In other words, taking in knowledge of Jesus (e.g., by having a Bible Study with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses) can ultimately lead to eternal life.

First, it is important to clarify that the NWT mistranslates John 17:3 so that it appears eternal life can be gained through “taking in knowledge,” rather than by personally “knowing” Jesus. In fact, the NWT rendering of this verse disagrees with all other well-known and respected Bible translations. Consider the following small sample:

The NWT translation even disagrees with the Watchtower Society’s own Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, which translates John 17:3 as, “This but is everlasting life in order that they may knowing you – the only true God...” This verse is more literally translated from the Greek as, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you.” Simply stated, Jesus is not talking about having a general knowledge of the Bible. Rather, the Greek word for “know” in this verse (ginosko) refers to having great intimacy with another person. In this case, it refers to having an intimate relationship with Jesus himself.

The Complete Word Study New Testament, by Greek scholar Spiro Zodhiates, defines the ginosko as “to know experientially.” Interestingly, the same word “ginosko” is also used for the word “know” in Luke 1:34, where the young virgin Mary informs the angel Gabriel that she has never “known” a man in the sexual sense. In other words, the use of this word “ginosko” in John 17:3 describes a very personal way of knowing a person. Obviously, it is not in referring to knowing Jesus in a sexual sense, but it is definitely in an intimate sense, and much more than just a general knowledge.

While taking in knowledge of God by studying the Bible is a good thing, it is never depicted in scripture as something that has the power to give eternal life or salvation. Consider, for example, what Jesus said in John 5:39-40 to lost Jews who ridiculed him: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about me; and you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life.” Many of these Jews probably had a good knowledge of scripture, and some may have even memorized large sections of scripture. But look at what Jesus said. They could search the scriptures without end; but until they came to Jesus for life, their knowledge would have no positive effect. Only Jesus has the power to save. It was true then and it is true today.
In keeping with the above, the Bible depicts salvation as something that comes by faith alone through Jesus alone, without any mention of gaining knowledge or even works. Consider what Jesus said in the following verses:

While studying God’s word is something all Christians are called to do, knowing Jesus and receiving eternal life does not come through intellectual assent alone, or even through Bible studies. Jesus calls us to place our faith in him alone and to trust that what he did on the cross is totally sufficient to save us. The Bible also assures us that we can know for certain that we know Him. Consider Romans 8:16-17, which says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” His spirit testifies with our spirit to assure us that we know him personally, not just with head knowledge or intellectual knowledge gained through numerous Bible studies.

Sadly, many Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to believe the Watchtower Society’s mistranslated rendering of John 17:3, as well as its misinterpreted application. The apostle Paul referred to those who were “always learning, but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). As much as the Watchtower Society would like Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe they are taking in knowledge that will one day lead to eternal life, Jesus himself insists that all the knowledge in the Bible is insufficient to give eternal life. Jesus alone has the power to give life, and it is free to all who come to know him personally.