Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online

Get access

Gnosis/Gnosticism
(6,130 words)

Gnosis is related to γιγνώσκω, which refers to acquiring knowledge through observation, perception, discernment, and judgment. In ancient Christian contexts, gnosis (γνῶσις) refers to knowledge of God. Gnosticism is a neologism coined and used by modern people to identify collectively a spectrum of gnostic thinkers, texts, and movements that emerged in th…

Cite this page
DeConick, April D., “Gnosis/Gnosticism”, in: Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online, General Editor David G. Hunter, Paul J.J. van Geest, Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. Consulted online on 08 June 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00001439>
First published online: 2018



▲   Back to top   ▲