is γινώσκω, which means ‘know by experience’. In the NT usage, in particular, it means knowledge of some spiritual truth or fact given to those who live the life of salvation in union with Christ and according to the Holy Spirit. “Men of faith” are ‘children were born of the will of God’ (黑崎幸吉, 이상근) or ‘believer’,1) and is contrasted with “all who rely on works of the law” (Gal. 3:10a). The Jews called themselves as ‘the sons of Abraham.’ “They thought obedience to the law as the way to participate in the blessing promised to Abraham” (黑崎幸吉). They regarded the sons of Abraham as a passport to Paradise (cf. R. T. Stamm), and it is the pride of them (John 8:39. cf. Matt. 3:8). For Paul, however, “the sons of Abraham” don’t mean those who are descended from him according to flesh and blood but those who are his spiritual descendents according to faith. Abraham believed God’s promise that Abraham’s own son will be his heir and his descendents will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. God reckoned Abraham righteous because of this faith (Gen. 15:4-6). In this respect, Abraham is called
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ 1) M. Luther, R. T. Stamm, E. D. Burton, S. J. Mikolaski, E. H. Perowne.
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