If Any Man Think that He Knoweth - Glenn Conjurske

If Any Man Think that He Knoweth

by Glenn Conjurske

“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” (I Cor. 8:2). These are very strong words. If we press them to the full extent of their meaning, we must conclude that the only ones who know anything are those who think they don’t. This would not be far from the truth, for it is certain that the most ignorant are most often the most sure of themselves, while those who know the most are those who most feel their ignorance. Still, we may know the truth, and know that we know it. Paul, the author of this text, certainly did. Are we then to interpret this scripture by making a distinction between knowing the truth, and only thinking we know it? I fear such a distinction would be of little use practically, for those who think they know are commonly just as sure as those who know. I had an old teacher at Bible school who used often to say, “A lot of people know a lot of things that aren’t so.” This is undoubtedly the truth, and it is just such folks that this scripture speaks of. It is no doubt true also that none of us yet know anything as we ought to know it. We are all of us ignorant enough, and dull and lethargic besides.

But I do not suppose it necessary to put an exact and technical meaning upon this text in order to use it aright. I scarcely suppose that Paul had any such exact meaning in mind when he wrote it. He had a moral purpose in mind, and that moral purpose is obvious enough. He meant to reprove that pride which thinks it knows better than it does. That pride, though nothing new, is perhaps the most prominent characteristic of the modern church. Every man thinks that he knows—-thinks that he knows better than his neighbors—-thinks that he knows better than he does. The right of private judgement has been carried far beyond its legitimate bounds. The principles of liberty and democracy and independence have puffed up the whole world with self-sufficiency, and with an imagined competence which does not exist. Every man thinks therefore that he knows.

In a letter just received, a correspondent laments that this spirit pervades the Christian “web-sites” on the so-called “internet.” Every one thinks he knows. Every one is eager to teach, none eager to learn. Every one has his own special doctrine or emphasis, which will cure the ills of the church, whether it be hyperdispensationalism, fasting, deeper life, head coverings, King James Only doctrines, Calvinism, foot washing, or having babies. Everyone thinks he knows, and everyone is therefore eager to teach, while they all alike remain ignorant of the deep things of God, and incapable of leading the saints to green pastures and still waters, or even to solid wisdom. Everyone has notions of his own, and everyone thinks he knows better than his God-given teachers. This is characteristic of modern Christianity, and it is perhaps the greatest hindrance in the church to the progress of the truth.

Not long ago I received an envelope in the mail with the return address stamped in the corner “All Bible Questions Answered.” “Name your subject,” said a note inside. I told the man he must be at least 500 years old. I am only about fifty, and therefore don’t know much. But the plain fact is, none of us know much. I count the man wise who knows what the questions are. None of us know much concerning the answers. I told this man I can answer all Bible questions also, but the answer which I must give to most of them is, “I don’t know.” Just last night I was asked, “Why was Christ baptized?” I said, “I don’t know”—-though I can say a few things concerning what the reason was not. John preached the baptism of repentance, but the Lord’s baptism was certainly not that. We know that Christ was baptized “to fulfil all righteousness,” but what that means I do not venture to say. A man who was present said he knew a man at work who could answer the question. He said that Christ was baptized to show his humility. “Yes,” said I, “you could probably find three hundred and three answers of that nature, every man being right in his own eyes, and none of them knowing much about the matter.” The man who knows all the answers has no notion in the world of what the questions are.

But to those who suppose they can answer all Bible questions, I may propose a few. You can give an answer, and likely a wrong one, concerning the extent of the atonement or the meaning of baptizw, but in those matters which most deeply concern your own walk with God, or your own usefulness in the world, you likely know little enough. At any rate, here are a few questions for you.

Can you distinguish between the operations of the soul and those of the spirit? Do you understand the importance of the difference?

Do you know how to “be angry and sin not”?

Do you know the difference between contentment and lukewarmness?

Can you distinguish between zeal and rashness?

Do you know the difference between a catholic spirit and looseness of principle? Do you know how to walk in a narrow path with a large heart?

Can you discriminate between prudence and compromise?

Can you please all men for their good without being a man-pleaser?

Can you distinguish between faithfulness and bigotry?

Can you draw the line between faith and presumption—-between trusting God and tempting him?

There are yet more important questions than these. Do you know your own ignorance? Do you know how to “think soberly” of yourself?

Do you know when to speak, and when to be silent?

Do you know how to prevail in prayer?

Do you know how to weep? Can you make men’s hearts burn?

Ah! but you know Hebrew roots and Greek syntax! Yes, and what is it worth if your mind is devoid of depth, if your soul is puffed up and dried up, if you talk much and weep little? “If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”

Glenn Conjurske