Word Study for G1107 (γνωρίζω)

gnōrízō /gno-rid'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a derivative of γινώσκω

Meaningto make known; subjectively, to know

KJV usagecertify, declare, make known, give to understand, do to wit, wot.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gnōrízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word gnōrízō, represented by G1107, means to make known. It is derived from a derivative of γινώσκω and appears 30 times across 23 unique verses. The term's application ranges from declaring information and certifying a truth to the subjective act of knowing or understanding. Its definitions include: to make known, certify, declare, give to understand, do to wit, and wot.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1107 is frequently used to describe the act of divine revelation. God is the one who made known the "mystery of his will" Ephesians 1:9 and the "riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles" Colossians 1:27. This revelation, which was not made known in previous ages, is now revealed by the Spirit Ephesians 3:5. The apostles, in turn, use the word to describe their mission, such as when Paul declares the gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1 or asks for prayer to make known the "mystery of the gospel" Ephesians 6:19. The term also applies to personal communication with God, as believers are instructed to let their requests be made known to Him Philippians 4:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of making things known:

G1492 eídō (to know): This verb relates to the state of knowing or perceiving something. It is used in contrast to making known; Jesus tells his disciples he has made known all things to them because a servant does not know his lord's business John 15:15.
G5319 phaneróō (to render apparent): This word, meaning to make manifest, is used alongside G1107 to describe how the mystery of the gospel is now made manifest and made known to all nations Romans 16:26.
G601 apokalýptō (to take off the cover, i.e. disclose): This term for "reveal" is closely tied to G1107. What was previously not made known to men is now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets Ephesians 3:5.
G3056 lógos (utterance): This word for "word" or "utterance" is the substance of what is often made known. Paul prays for utterance to be given to him so that he can make known the mystery of the gospel Ephesians 6:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1107 is significant, highlighting God's initiative in revealing truth.

Divine Disclosure of Mystery: The word underscores that knowledge of God's plan, especially regarding the inclusion of the Gentiles and the nature of Christ, is a "mystery" that God himself chooses to make known (Ephesians 1:9, Colossians 1:27).
Apostolic Proclamation: To make known is a core apostolic function. It is used to certify the divine origin of the gospel Galatians 1:11 and to declare its core tenets to believers 1 Corinthians 15:1.
Relational Knowledge: G1107 signifies a move toward deeper relationship. Jesus made known the Father's words to his disciples to elevate them to the status of friends John 15:15. Similarly, believers are encouraged to make known their personal needs to God through prayer Philippians 4:6.
Revelation of God's Character: God makes known his power and glory, both in wrath and in mercy, revealing his divine attributes to creation Romans 9:22-23.

Summary

In summary, G1107 is a pivotal term for understanding divine communication. It is not merely about sharing facts, but about the sovereign act of God revealing His will, His glory, and the mystery of Christ. From the apostolic duty to declare the gospel to the believer's intimate act of making requests known to God, gnōrízō defines the process by which hidden divine truths are brought into the light for the sake of relationship and redemption.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 25 occurrences, inflected in 16 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 4×
Aorist Active Infinitive 3×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×

+ 4 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 23 verses across 11 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Ephesians (6 verses); never once in the other 16.

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

2 Peter

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.