20 Bible Verses about Ignorance of God
Most Relevant Verses
Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].
Their understanding [of spiritual things] is darkened and excluded from the [spiritual] life that God gives, because of the ignorance in their minds and the stubbornness in their hearts.
For it is God's will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people.
Come to your senses; do what is right and stop sinning. Some of you do not know God [i.e., in a personal way]. I am saying this to make you ashamed.
But Jesus answered them, "You are mistaken [in your reasoning], not knowing [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has.
[I do this] so that Satan cannot take advantage of us, for we are not unaware of his schemes.
[even] though I had previously spoken against Christ, and persecuted [Christians] and acted outrageously. However, I obtained mercy because I acted out of ignorance, not believing [in Christ].
As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant,
For they did not know about God's way of making people right with Himself, so they attempted to establish their own way. In doing this they did not submit to God's way for being made right with Him.
For the "foolish things" of God are wiser than men's [wisdom], and the "weakness" of God is stronger than men's [strength].
For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.
But refuse [to participate in] foolish and stupid arguments, knowing that they produce quarreling.
For I want you to know this secret, brothers, so you will not become conceited: Part of the Israelites have become [spiritually] insensitive [to God], [and will remain that way] until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. [Note: As with verse 12, concerning the Jews, "fullness" here may mean either a large or the complete number of Gentiles who will be saved].
But do not forget this one thing, my dearly loved ones, that as the Lord [counts time], one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
He spoke about these things in all of his letters, which contain some parts that are difficult to understand. [Because of this], ignorant and unstable people twist [his writings], just as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
But, these people intentionally forget that the heavens, which existed long ago, and the earth, which was formed out of water and by water, [were created] by the word of God.
Now when these men saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and perceived that they were uneducated and [even] ignorant men, they were quite surprised; then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason that you are [so] mistaken, that you do not know [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has?
He is able to gently put up with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to [the same spiritual] weaknesses.
"And now brothers, I know that [both] you and your [Jewish] rulers acted in ignorance [of what you were really doing].
Bible Theasaurus
From Thematic Bible
Ignorance of God » The wicked, in a state of
But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name's sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me.
Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].
Righteous Father, the world does not know you but I know you, and these men know that you sent me.
Ignorance of God » Leads to » Sinful lusts
not in passionate lust, as the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not know God, do.
As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant,
Ignorance of God » Punishment of
He will inflict punishment on those people who do not know God [as Savior], and on those who do not obey the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus.
Ignorance of God » Ministers should » Compassionate those in
He is able to gently put up with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to [the same spiritual] weaknesses.
For the Lord's slave must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, capable of teaching, [and] patient [with difficult people and situations]. [He must] gently correct those people who oppose [him], in hope that God will give them [opportunity for] repentance, leading to a [full] knowledge of the truth,
Ignorance of God » Leads to » Idolatry
Since therefore we are God's children, we should not think that the Deity is like gold, silver or stone, to be carved [into an idol] by the design and skill of men. Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].
Ignorance of God » Is no excuse for sin
But the one who did not know [i.e., what his master wanted], yet did things deserving of punishment, will be whipped with few lashes. And to the person who has been given much [responsibility], there will be much required [of him]. And to whom people entrust much [responsibility], they will ask [much] more from him.
Ignorance of God » Exemplified
Ignorance of God » Evidenced by » Living in sin
These people claim to know God [as Savior], but they deny Him by their actions, so they are detestable and disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
No person who lives in [fellowship with] Christ will continue living a sinful life; the one who keeps on sinning [however], has not seen Him or known Him [as his personal Savior].
Ignorance of God » The wicked choose
And since these people refused to acknowledge God, He has allowed [or, abandoned] them to have degraded minds and to practice those things which they should not do.
Ignorance of God » Leads to » Persecuting saints
But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name's sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me.
And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me.
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » False prophets
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Paul
[even] though I had previously spoken against Christ, and persecuted [Christians] and acted outrageously. However, I obtained mercy because I acted out of ignorance, not believing [in Christ].
Ignorance of God » Leads to » Alienation from God
Their understanding [of spiritual things] is darkened and excluded from the [spiritual] life that God gives, because of the ignorance in their minds and the stubbornness in their hearts.
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Gentiles
At that time, when you did not know God [as your Father], you were in bondage to those who were, by nature, not really gods at all.
Ignorance of God » Leads to » Error
But Jesus answered them, "You are mistaken [in your reasoning], not knowing [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has.
Ignorance of God » Ministers should » Labor to remove
For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.
Ignorance of God » Evidenced by » Not keeping his commands
The person who says, "I have come to know Him," but does not obey what He commands, is lying [by such a profession], and the truth [about the matter] is not in his heart.
Ignorance of God » Evidenced by » Want of love
The person who does not love [others] does not know God [as Savior], for [the very nature of] God is love.
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Pharaoh
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Jews
Then Jesus called out, "Father, forgive these people [i.e., the ones responsible for crucifying Him], for they do not know [i.e., realize] what they are doing." Then the soldiers [See John 19:23] divided Jesus' clothing among them by gambling for them.
Ignorance of God » Ignorance of Christ is
So, the Jewish authorities said to Him, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You people do not know me or my Father. If you [did] know me, you would know my Father also."
Punishment of the The Wicked » On account of their » Ignorance of God
He will inflict punishment on those people who do not know God [as Savior], and on those who do not obey the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus.
