A lack of knowledge of God, regarded as inexcusable by Scripture. God has made his existence, nature and power known to all through creation. God himself is not ignorant of human sin, but is able to discern the real intentions of human minds and wills.
Ignorance of God is inexcusable
God is made known through creation
Romans 1:18–20 As God is made known to all through nature, human ignorance of God is inexcusable. See also Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24–28; Romans 2:14–15
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
God revealed himself to Israel
Nehemiah 9:13–14 See also Exodus 19:10–11, Exodus 19:16–19; Psalm 103:7, Psalm 147:19–20; Ezekiel 20:5
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments. You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.
Ignorance of God is linked to sin and rebellion
Among the Gentiles
Ephesians 4:18–19 See also Exodus 5:2; John 4:22; Acts 17:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
In Israel
Isaiah 1:2–3 See also Isaiah 56:10; Jeremiah 2:8–9, Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 5:4–5, Jeremiah 8:7–12, Jeremiah 9:6, Jeremiah 10:21; Hosea 4:1, Hosea 4:6; Amos 3:10
Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
Ignorance of God in the ministry of Jesus Christ
Among the religious leaders
John 8:13–19 See also Matthew 22:23–32 parallels Mark 12:18–27, Luke 20:27–38; John 8:54–55, John 16:2–3
So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.” Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.” “Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”
Among his disciples
John 14:8–11 See also Luke 18:31–34; John 14:5–7
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me — or at least believe on account of the works themselves.
God is not ignorant of human sin and motives
Genesis 6:5; Hebrews 4:13 See also Exodus 3:7; Job 28:12–28; Psalm 139:1–6, Psalm 147:5; Ezekiel 11:5; Matthew 6:8; Acts 1:24
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Human ignorance of sin and the revelation of God
The fall brought knowledge of sin
Genesis 3:22 See also Genesis 3:4–7
Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever...”
The OT law exposed the nature of sin
Romans 7:7 See also Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, Romans 5:13
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
Human ignorance does not excuse sin
By individuals
Leviticus 5:17–19 The law made provision for atonement of sins committed as a result of ignorance. See also Leviticus 4:27–35; Numbers 15:27–29; Ezekiel 45:20
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment. He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.”
By the nation
Leviticus 4:13–21 See also Numbers 15:22–26; Hebrews 9:7
By leaders
Leviticus 4:22–26 See also Leviticus 4:3–12
When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the commandments of the LORD his God, he incurs guilt. When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering. He is to lay his hand on the head of the goat and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered before the LORD. It is a sin offering. Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. He must burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the peace offerings; thus the priest will make atonement for that man’s sin, and he will be forgiven.
Sin committed in ignorance incurs a lesser judgment than other sin
Luke 12:47–48 See also Proverbs 24:12; Romans 2:14–15
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
Repentance of sin committed in ignorance brings forgiveness
Genesis 20:1–18 See also Acts 3:17–20; 1 Timothy 1:13
Ignorance of God and salvation
There is no salvation outside Jesus Christ
Acts 4:12 See also John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5–6
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Believers have a responsibility to remove ignorance of the gospel
Romans 10:14–17 See also Matthew 28:19–20
How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Ignorance and God's judgment
The justice of God in salvation
Genesis 18:25 See also Deuteronomy 32:4; Nehemiah 9:33; Proverbs 24:12; Daniel 4:37; Luke 12:47–48
Far be it from You to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
God's judgment falls on all who do not know him
2 Thessalonians 1:8–10 See also Psalm 79:6; Jeremiah 10:25; Romans 2:8
in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.
God's judgment falls severely on those who choose to disobey him
Proverbs 1:28–32 on Israel; Acts 17:29–31; Hebrews 2:2–3; 2 Peter 2:20–22
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.