### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἄγνωστος (ágnōstos) is a compound word derived from the privative alpha (ἀ-), which negates the following term, and the adjective γνωστός (gnōstos), meaning "known," "knowable," or "understood." Therefore, its fundamental meaning is "unknown," "unrecognized," "unfamiliar," or "unknowable." It describes a state where something is not apprehended by knowledge, whether due to its inherent inscrutability or simply a lack of prior acquaintance. While its primary sense is literal, it can subtly convey a sense of mystery or obscurity, though it does not inherently imply non-existence, but rather a lack of cognitive grasp concerning something that exists.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἄγνωστος (ágnōstos) occurs only once in the New Testament, yet its singular appearance is of profound theological and historical significance:
* **Acts 17:23:** "For as I passed through and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you." [[Acts 17:23]]
* **Context:** This verse is part of Paul's famous sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus) in Athens. Paul, observing the highly religious nature of the Athenians, notes an altar specifically dedicated "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD." This inscription reveals the Athenians' polytheistic piety and their desire to appease all possible deities, even those whose names or specific cults were not revealed or understood by them. It was a safeguard against inadvertently offending any divine power.
* **Implication:** Paul masterfully seizes upon this inscription as a point of contact for evangelism. He asserts that the very God whom they, in their earnestness, worshiped ignorantly, is the God he has come to proclaim—the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the true and living God. This pivotal moment demonstrates Paul's contextualized approach to evangelism, building a bridge from their existing religious framework to the gospel message. The "unknown God" represents humanity's inherent search for the divine, often without true knowledge, and God's self-revelation to fulfill that search.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **γνωστός (gnōstos) `{{G1110}}`:** The direct antonym of ἄγνωστος, meaning "known," "knowable," or "understood." The contrast between what is unknown and what is known is central to the meaning of ἄγνωστος.
* **ἀγνοέω (agnoeō) `{{G50}}`:** A verb meaning "to be ignorant," "to not know," or "to misunderstand." This shares the same root and privative prefix, indicating a state of not knowing or being unaware.
* **ἄγνωσις (agnōsis):** While not a distinct Strong's number, this noun form (derived from the same root) denotes "ignorance" or "lack of knowledge."
* **ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis) `{{G1922}}`:** Often translated as "knowledge," but conveying a more complete, precise, or experiential knowledge, contrasting with a mere superficial acquaintance or the complete lack of knowledge implied by ἄγνωστος.
* **Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις - apokalypsis `{{G602}}`):** The concept of God revealing Himself is fundamentally opposed to the state of being "unknown." The entire biblical narrative can be seen as God moving from being unknown to making Himself known through His Word, His acts in history, and supremely through Jesus Christ.
### Theological Significance
The single biblical occurrence of ἄγνωστος (ágnōstos) in [[Acts 17:23]] carries profound theological implications:
* **Humanity's Natural Ignorance of God:** The altar to the "unknown god" powerfully symbolizes humanity's inherent spiritual ignorance and inability to fully apprehend the true God through human wisdom, philosophy, or religious practices alone. While people may possess an innate sense of the divine (cf. [[Romans 1:19-20]]), their attempts to worship or appease God without divine revelation often lead to idolatry, polytheism, and a God who remains ultimately uncomprehended in His true character.
* **The Necessity of Divine Revelation:** The "unknown god" highlights the absolute necessity of God's self-revelation. Paul's sermon on Mars Hill is precisely that revelation, proclaiming the Creator God who is sovereign over all creation, does not dwell in man-made temples, and has provided salvation and judgment through Jesus Christ [[Acts 17:24-31]]. What was previously unknown is now made known through the gospel.
* **God's Transcendence and Immanence:** The concept implicitly acknowledges God's transcendence—He is beyond full human comprehension and definition. Yet, Paul's proclamation immediately bridges this gap, asserting God's immanence as the Creator and Sustainer of all life, who is "not far from each one of us" [[Acts 17:27]].
* **Contextualized Evangelism:** Paul's engagement with the "unknown god" demonstrates a masterful and respectful approach to evangelism. Instead of condemning Athenian idolatry outright, he uses their existing religious framework as a point of contact, affirming their search for the divine while correcting their understanding and pointing them to the true God. This serves as a model for culturally sensitive and biblically faithful gospel proclamation.
### Summary
The Greek word ἄγνωστος (ágnōstos), meaning "unknown" or "unknowable," is singularly yet significantly employed in [[Acts 17:23]]. It describes the altar in Athens dedicated "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD," reflecting the Athenians' earnest, albeit ignorant, attempt to honor any deity they might not have explicitly recognized. This inscription became a strategic and Spirit-led bridge for the Apostle Paul to proclaim the one true God—the Creator of all things, the Lord of heaven and earth, and the Judge of humanity—who had previously remained "unknown" to them in His true nature and saving purpose. The term thus profoundly underscores humanity's inherent spiritual blindness apart from divine revelation and highlights the crucial role of the gospel in making the previously unknown God known to all nations, fulfilling humanity's deepest spiritual yearnings.
TRV