To Know Jesus Christ

The Greek word translated "know" here is ginosko:

TO KNOW: means to know by observation and experience (see parallel to Hebrew). Again this is not an abstract "knowing." It is much more than "knowing about." This knowing is direct, personal, experiential, as well as observational and reflective.

TO KNOW, here, indicates a relationship between the person "knowing" (us) and the object known (the true God and Jesus Christ). The "known" is of value and importance to the one (us) who knows, and this value and importance drive the establishment of the relationship.

No wimpy, mental, or star struck emotional knowing here. To know is deep, very,very personal in its roots within us, and discontent with anything less that an intimate, experiential, full bore, relationship. As such we are driven to deepen and in any way possible pursue this relationship, this interaction and living together with, the object of our knowing - God, Jesus Christ. Mental knowledge is not enough, we want the real thing in the fullest way possible.