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2.4.2 Word of Knowledge

Chapter 5: Word of Knowledge








God is the source of all knowledge. God does not learn anything, God knows all things, and nothing is a surprise to Him. The ultimate source of all true knowledge is the omniscience (omniscience: all knowing) of God.


For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; - I Corinthians 12:8

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. — Isaiah 40:28

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. - I Samuel 2:3

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! — Rom. 11:33


The Word of Knowledge is by Revelation from the Holy Ghost

A Word spoken to your Spirit by the Holy Ghost


  1. What The Word of Knowledge Is Not —

        1. It is not natural ability

Men might have a high degree of natural ability, very talented which is good but that is not what the Word of Knowledge is.


He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. - Daniel 2:22

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. - I Cor. 2:9-10


The deep things are those things that are beyond man's ability to know on his own.

1. Talent and ability are not what the Word of Knowledge is.

2. It is not the ability to evaluate a situation and receive knowledge through observation.

3. It is not an educated guess to try to discern a problem.


A person may have great ability to observe situations and the lives of people and gain knowledge through observation. You can learn much by just watching people and their actions. This can be a valuable skill, but it is not the Word of Knowledge.


        1. It is not natural learning

Yes we are to (II Timothy 2:15… Study to shew yourself approved unto God…), not just a workman, but approved, But a person can study and be very diligent but we don't need anything new for the sake of being new, we need to know truth. And we should apply ourselves in every aspect of learning. Listening: somebody said the only time you learn is when your mouth is shut I don't want to leave the impression that the Holy Spirit is going to make up for your lack. These supernatural gifts are for a purpose/reason — for the up building of the church

At the same time we need to apply ourselves diligently, to studying and to learning.

1. Knowledge gained by study is good, but this is not the Word of Knowledge.

2. The understanding of much knowledge through learning is not the Word of Knowledge.

3. Study is an essential aspect of the ministry, but study is not the Word of Knowledge.


We must also understand the value of study and learning. The Word admonishes us to study. — II Tim. 2:15. The Word of Knowledge is a special revelation that cannot be known by natural means.


        1. It is not knowledge that experience gives us


How do you get knowledge by experience? Is all the knowledge that we get by experience, is it all good?God does not use a person apart from his personality and from his intellect.Take a person that is very learned and educated, and if he prophesied that would show by him using words that another person prophesying would never use. So God uses personality and intellect, that doesn't mean it has an effect other than how it is being said, the means is always the same. Experience gives us knowledge

John 8:32…know: ginosko, ghin-oce'-ko: (it is not just knowledge by knowing something, but it is experience) a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. You shall know (experience) the truth and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) The Greek word for know in this verse is ginosko, ghin-oce'-ko: this is not just knowledge by knowing something, but it is knowledge by experience.


D. It is not a gift to understand or know all knowledge.

1. It is not an impartation of wisdom to know how to do something.

2. It is a specific word of information.


Remember this is a "Word" of revealed information or knowledge and not a gift to know it all. Some mistakenly think this gift is about God making people wise or giving them a high intelligence. This gift is a revealed word of God about a specific thing at a specific time.



  1. What The Word of Knowledge Is


A. The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural expression of the Divine will, purpose, and plan of God.

1. The Greek word used for word to describe this gift is rhema. It means a revealed word of God.


This is the same word that is used in Rom.10:17 - …faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. In John 1:1 the Greek word logos is used to refer to the Word.

Rhema is a revealed word, which is a word given by God. Logos is the expressed or spoken word.


2. Knowledge is the intellectual apprehension of information.


It is information acquired or understood. In relation to this gift it refers to information given or revealed by God and not acquired through natural means.


3. God reveals knowledge of His will to man that can only be received by Divine means.


        1. It is an operation of the Holy Spirit

Totally, completely, has nothing to do personal knowledge.

You've heard this before, and you hear someone say, yea the lord hath said, and the Lord didn't say it at all. Just because that expression is said, doesn't mean it is of God.

How than can we tell what the difference is between a so called expression and a real utterance from God?

Sometimes people express verbally what was in the word, The devil knows the scripture; he even used it against Jesus, and there are expressions in the Bible concerning what the devil said that is contrary to scripture.

In Job 2:4…And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

A lawyer used this, it came out on the newspaper, so and so uses a strange authority for his idea, he used this in a court setting trying to win his case, skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath… - Well, is that scripture, it's in the scriptures, but is it scriptural? Who said it? Is it inspired? It is not inspired from God, but the record is inspired. It is exactly what Satan said. We have to understand that a lot that is in this Bible can be inspired record. It is exactly as it was said. Now did David do some things that were not inspired of God? Now the record was inspired, not that what he did was inspired. The record is as exactly as it happened. There is nothing that is from this book that is not inspired. II Timothy 3:16… All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.


          1. John on the Isle of Patmos, his revelation of the seven churches

Where did John get this revelation? Was it something he studied or he learned from others?

Revelation 1:10 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day… What is the Lord's Day? This is not on a Sunday, but this speaks of the day of the Lord's coming.

Now how was in the Lord's Day when it was 2,000 years ago? The Lord showed him. Remember what happened to Paul (II Corinthians 12:2… I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.) Notice what Paul was saying, I was in the spirit. Is there such a thing as time in the spirit? No.

So John saw things, saw events on the Lord's Day. vs. 10-11… I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia…


Now was that all the churches that were in Asia at that time, just those seven?

There was other churches, God told him what to write and who to write to.

vs. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks…Now remember the Lord hath said what thou seest… vs. 12-20

vs. 20…The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches…

The seven stars are angels, does that mean they fly around with wings? Very often throughout scripture you find ministers refereed to as angels or messengers.

The seven stars are the seven ministers or pastors at that time of the churches.

The seven candlesticks are the seven churches. vs. 19…Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter…

Write the things which though hast (1) seen and (2) which are and (3) which shall be hereafter…

Revelation 4:1… After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter

What was happening in chapters 2 and 3 was that they were writing letters to the churches.

Now he says now after that…I will show you things which will be hereafter.

John received the revelation in the spirit directly from the Lord.


          1. Where did Moses get his matchless and scientific story of creation?

Moses got it from the Lord. The things that Moses talked about and wrote about

Was Moses there at creation, when Adam and Eve were created, where did Moses get that information form? Beyond anything natural, he could not have learned that by any amount of study, by applying himself natural, No it came to Moses supernaturally.

Moses wrote the first five books of wisdom and knowledge.

Is there ever a time when science and the Bible disagree? There is never a time when they can prove the Bible to be wrong. Yet people will hold to the theories of man rather than an almighty God. Men hate the truth, because they hate the light. John 3:19; II Peter 3:5; Bro. Matt Bourgalt said "they are dumb on purpose". They don't want to know the truth.



B. The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural inspired utterance of facts.

1. Knowledge is insight of facts.

Wisdom is skill in using those facts which will be discussed under Word of Wisdom.


2. God reveals information that can then be spoken to an individual or to a congregation.


3. God could reveal that someone has a particular sickness.


This knowledge is then spoken to that person or to the congregation. God reveals sickness so he can heal and make well. The individual with the sickness knows that this knowledge did not come by man. This gift encourages faith to believe for the healing.


C. The Word of Knowledge is an operation of the Holy Spirit.

1. Man has nothing to do with the impartation of the Word of Knowledge.

2. The Holy Spirit controls and operates this gift.

3. God reveals when He wants to and Decides to whom He will reveal to.


D. The Word of Knowledge is a miraculous revelation of facts that could not be known by natural understanding.


1. God has knowledge of everything.

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Colossians 2:3


2. This gift reveals information that could not otherwise be known.


        1. It is dependent upon our fellowship with God

A. Explain what the Word of Knowledge is NOT.

  • It is not natural ability

  • It is not natural learning

  • It is not knowledge that experience gives us

B. What the Word of Knowledge IS.

  • A supernaturally inspired utterance of facts

  • It is an operation of the Holy Spirit

  • It is a miraculous revelation

  • It is dependent upon our fellowship with God



III. The Purpose of the Gift


A. To reveal knowledge that will help the preacher to minister to the sick.


1. To give the preacher knowledge of what sickness is in the congregation.

God will reveal to you the needs of the people so you can help them. God reveals the sickness because it is His intent to heal and deliver.


2. This revelation of what the sickness is will encourage faith to pray for the sick.


3. The individual who is in need is also greatly encouraged to believe for their healing or miracle.


B. To reveal knowledge that will protect the people of God.


1. God can warn of danger to keep you from harm.


2. God can warn you not to go to a certain place to avoid harm.


3. God can warn of future events to keep you from making harmful choices.


C. To reveal the plans of the enemy.


And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. - II Kings 6:12


There was no natural way that Elisha could know the words of the enemies of Israel unless God revealed it to him. God revealed the plans of the enemy to Elisha.


1. God can warn a pastor of the cause of division in his church.

God can reveal to a pastor if someone is spreading lies and causing problems in the church. The Word of Knowledge can also reveal to a pastor the sin in the congregation so he can deal with it and help the people in the church.

2. God can warn us of what the devil is trying to do so we are prepared and not taken by surprise.





D. Biblical examples of the Word of Knowledge


  1. Where did Moses get his matchless and scientific story of creation?

Was Moses there at creation, when Adam and Eve were created, where did Moses get that information from? Moses got it from the Lord. The things that Moses talked about and wrote about were beyond anything natural. He could not have learned that by any amount of study or by applying himself to natural means. No, it came to Moses supernaturally. Moses wrote the first five books of wisdom and knowledge.


  1. Noah Genesis 6:13-22


  1. II Kings 5:26 — Elisha had a word of knowledge given to him, to see what evil thing Gehazi had done


  1. Paul received great revelation knowledge by the Holy Spirit.

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; - Ephesians 3:3-5

Paul as a Jew hated the Gentiles and even hated the Christians. How did he receive this knowledge to accept the Gentiles? — by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.


But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

- Galatians 1:11-12


4. John on the Isle of Patmos received the revelation of the seven churches and events that would take place in the future.


Where did John get this revelation? Was it something he studied or he learned from others? John received this revelation in the Spirit.


I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day — Rev. 1:10


What is the Lord's Day? This is not on a Sunday, but refers to the day of the Lord's coming. John saw supernaturally events on the Lord's Day. We will further discuss this book in Revelation class.


4. Jesus as God in the flesh possessed all knowledge.

Jesus is our supreme example in all things. Jesus had insight and knowledge that were beyond the realm of natural ability.


a. Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig tree. — Jn. 1:48-49

John 1:48, 49…Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus

answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Now that is a very strange thing, just because someone told him he saw him under the fig tree he had to be the Son of God. Would that be the convincing factor? Critics like to say why would that convince him that he was the son of God? Go back into verse 45… Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Now Nathanael was a student of scripture vs. 46…And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. There looking for that one to come out of Bethlehem, and Philip didn't have the answer but he said come and see. vs. 47-48…Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Before Philip ever found Nathanael, without question Nathanael had to be hiding for his meditations under that fig tree, no one knew, a secret place — Nathanael knew that nobody knew that he was there, and Jesus was saying I saw thee, He saw him in spirit.


b. Jesus knew the thoughts of the religious leaders.

— Mt. 12:25, Luke 6:8


c. Jesus knew there would be a donkey waiting for Him to use to enter Jerusalem. — Mt. 21:2


d. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. — Jn. 13:26


New Testament examples of the gift.

  • Jesus—Jn. 4:17, 18, 19, 29 — Jesus had a word of knowledge about the woman at the well, that she had five husbands and was living with another man at the time.

  • Peter —Acts 9:10-12; 10:9-19

  • John—Rev 1:10-20,

  1. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, John 4


Jesus knew by the Spirit that the Samaritans would respond to the gospel. Ordinarily, a Jew would have gone around Samaria to avoid any problems, but Jesus knew He must needs go through Samaria.

Jesus had a word of wisdom, to know of the Samaritan women's need and unfolded it. Jesus knew what to say and how to say it to this woman that had five husbands, and the one that she was living with was not her husband.

The soul-winner's greatest need is the Word of Wisdom.When you're witnessing to someone you want them to respond to what you're saying so let the Holy Ghost give you the Gift of the Word of Wisdom.



  1. Paul


The Word of wisdom gives one insight into the exact problem, to help someone specifically. God can give you the desire to seek Him earnestly and the Holy Ghost will give the best gifts for the need.

Before the High Priest and the Council, Acts 23:

Acts 23:6—But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 7—And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.


  1. Peter with Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5


The Word of Wisdom is revealed to give one insight into corruption. "why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost" Ac.5:3

Not everyone is going to like you, if you begin to unfold their life and read them like an open book. You're not going to have angelic beings to minister to. People have problems and they need help. They're not going to come in with folded wings. You can walk an elephant before a blind man and he can't see it. Not everyone is going to receive your reproof and council, but you must be faithful to what God has shown you.


John 8:26 —"I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him"

John 8:28 —"as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things"

John 8:38 —"I speak that which I have seen with my Father"


Fasting doesn't purchase you anything with God, but it brings you into a place where faith soars where it is so easy to believe. God is always more faithful to you than you are to Him.

It is going to take faith; we must believe and act upon what God gives to us.



Out of the vast storehouse of knowledge God takes just a word and gives it to man for a specific purpose.

The gift of the word of knowledge can help you to see in a person's life, and help you to help other people.

The word of knowledge can help you to see the genuineness of people, and where they are at.

If you console a person in there sin, than you are not helping them. You must help them out of their sin.

The devil comes as an angel of light, to deceive. Makes things seem as they are, when they are not.


We need to have these gifts operating in our lives, to help us identify what is right and what is wrong, and to help the church. There is much deception in this hour.


Studying Questions 5: Word of Knowledge


  1. What is meant by the term Word of Knowledge?

Out of the vast storehouse of knowledge God takes just a word, and gives it to man.


  1. Name the ultimate source of all knowledge. Give scripture ref.

The ultimate source of all true knowledge is the omniscience of God. (Isaiah 40:28)


  1. Explain what the Word of Knowledge is NOT.

    1. It is not natural ability

    2. It is not natural learning

    3. It is not knowledge that experience gives us


  1. Where did Moses get his matchless and scientific story of creation?

Moses got his matchless and scientific story of creation from the Lord. It was not something he could have learned; the Holy Spirit gave him a word of knowledge into creation.


  1. Explain what the Word of Knowledge IS.

    1. A supernaturally inspired utterance of facts

    2. It is an operation of the Holy Spirit

    3. It is a miraculous revelation

    4. (It is dependent upon our fellowship with God)


  1. Give the definition of the Word of Knowledge.

The definition of the Word of Knowledge is it is a divinely inspired revelation and utterance of knowledge.


  1. Give the purpose of the gift of the Word of Knowledge.

  1. To warn of the enemy's plans

  2. To bring encouragement

  3. To expose hypocrites

  4. To help in soul winning

  5. To reveal corruption


  1. Give an O.T. example of the gift.

II Kings 5:26 ~ Elisha had a word of knowledge given to him, to see what evil thing Gehazi had done, about lying


  1. Give a N.T. example of the gift.

John 4:18, 19, 29 ~ Jesus had a word of knowledge about the woman at the well, that she had five husbands and was living with another man


  1. Explain what is meant by the gifts overlapping.

That means that a man filled with the Holy Ghost can operate in more than one gift of the spirit at once.


Quiz 5: Word of Knowledge


        1. What is meant by the term Word of Knowledge?

Out of the vast storehouse of knowledge God takes just a word, and gives it to man.


        1. Name the ultimate source of all knowledge. Give scripture ref.

The ultimate source of all true knowledge is the omniscience of God. (Isaiah 40:28)


        1. Explain what the Word of Knowledge is NOT.

It is not natural ability; It is not natural learning; It is not knowledge that experience gives us


        1. Where did Moses get his matchless and scientific story of creation?

Moses got his matchless and scientific story of creation from the Lord. It was not something he could have learned; the Holy Spirit gave him a word of knowledge into creation.


        1. Explain what the Word of Knowledge IS.

A supernaturally inspired utterance of facts; It is an operation of the Holy Spirit; It is a miraculous revelation; (It is dependent upon our fellowship with God)


        1. Give the definition of the Word of Knowledge.

The definition of the Word of Knowledge is it is a divinely inspired revelation and utterance of knowledge.


        1. Give the purpose of the gift of the Word of Knowledge.

To warn of the enemy's plans; To bring encouragement; To expose hypocrites; To help in soul winning; To reveal corruption


        1. Give an O.T. example of the gift.

II Kings 5:26 ~ Elisha had a word of knowledge given to him, to see what evil thing Gehazi had done, about lying


        1. Give a N.T. example of the gift.

John 4:18, 19, 29 ~ Jesus had a word of knowledge about the woman at the well, that she had five husbands and was living with another man


        1. Explain what is meant by the gifts overlapping.

That means that a man filled with the Holy Ghost can operate in more than one gift of the spirit at once.

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