Ignorance
Summary
The state of lacking knowledge, particularly of God's truth, which Scripture addresses as both culpable and sometimes excusable.
☩Sins of Ignorance
The Mosaic law made provision for sins committed in ignorance, distinguishing them from presumptuous sins. When someone sinned unwittingly, specific offerings were prescribed for atonement. This distinction recognized that some transgressions arose from lack of knowledge rather than willful rebellion, though they still required expiation.
☩Culpable Ignorance
Not all ignorance excuses. Willful ignorance—the refusal to learn what one ought to know—is itself sin. Those who 'willingly are ignorant' of God's truth are held accountable. The psalmist speaks of those who 'know not, neither will they understand.' Such deliberate blindness compounds guilt rather than diminishing it.
☩God's Forbearance
Paul acknowledged that he persecuted the church 'ignorantly in unbelief' and therefore obtained mercy. God 'winked at' times of ignorance before the full revelation of the gospel, though now commanding all to repent. This divine forbearance does not justify continued ignorance once truth is revealed.
Related Verses58 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ignorance," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).