gnostic etymology

Etymology

The word "gnostic" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "gnōstikos," which means "having knowledge" or "pertaining to knowledge."

Meaning

The term "gnostic" refers to a diverse group of religious and philosophical beliefs that emerged in the early centuries of Christianity and shared certain common characteristics:

  • Emphasis on esoteric knowledge: Gnostics believed in a privileged access to higher or divine knowledge that was hidden from the general populace.
  • Dualism: They often held that the material world was evil or inferior, while the spiritual realm was good or divine.
  • Cosmic redemption: Gnostics believed in a process of cosmic redemption or salvation through the acquisition of secret knowledge and the liberation of the soul from the material world.
  • Rejection of mainstream Christianity: Gnostics typically rejected the traditional doctrines and practices of orthodox Christianity, such as the belief in Jesus as the sole savior or the importance of faith and good works.

Origin

Gnosticism originated in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries CE in the Hellenistic world, primarily in Egypt and Syria. It was influenced by various religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions, including:

  • Platonic philosophy: Gnostics adopted Plato's concept of a higher realm of pure ideas or Forms.
  • Philo of Alexandria: A Jewish philosopher who interpreted the Hebrew Bible allegorically, emphasizing the importance of spiritual understanding.
  • Mystery religions: Gnosticism incorporated elements from mystery religions, which offered secret rituals and teachings to initiates.
  • Zoroastrianism: Some Gnostic beliefs resembled Zoroastrian dualism and the concept of a cosmic battle between good and evil.

Over time, Gnosticism developed into various schools and sects, each with its own unique teachings and beliefs. Prominent Gnostic figures included Valentinus, Marcion, and Simon Magus. Gnosticism faced opposition and condemnation from early Christian leaders, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, who accused Gnostics of heresy and false teachings.

gnostic relate terms

  • agnostic

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ἀ a without γνῶσις gnōsis knowledge

  • gnostic

    Etymology The word gnostic is derived from the Ancient Greek word gnōstikos which m

  • Gnosticism

    Etymology The term Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word γνῶσις gnōsis m

  • gnostic

    Etymology The word gnostic is derived from the Ancient Greek word gnōstikos which m

  • acknowledge

    Etymology Acknowledge comes from the Middle English word acnowlechen which itself der

  • acquaint

    Etymology Old French acointer Latin accolligere to bring together Proto Indo Europea

  • agnostic

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ἀ a without γνῶσις gnōsis knowledge

  • anagnorisis

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ἀναγνώρισις anagnorisis from ἀνα ana

  • astrognosy

    Etymology Astro Greek for star Gnosis Greek for knowledge Meaning Astrognosy

  • cognition

    Etymology Cognition is derived from the Latin word cognoscere meaning to know or to

  • cognizance

    Etymology Latin cognoscere to know understand com with together gnoscere

  • connoisseur

    Etymology French connoisseur Latin cognoscere to know to be acquainted with

  • could

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It traces the evolut

  • couth

    Etymology Old French cooth known familiar courteous Medieval Latin couthus kno

  • cunning

    Etymology The word cunning comes from the Old English word cunnan which means to k

  • diagnosis

    Etymology Greek dia through gnosis knowledge Meaning The process of iden

  • ennoble

    Etymology From Old French ennobler to ennoble from Latin innobilio innobilire t

  • gnome

    Etymology The word gnome derives from the Latin gnomus which was the Roman renderin

  • gnomic

    Etymology Gnomic is derived from the Greek word gnōmē which means maxim sente

  • gnomon

    Etymology The word gnomon is derived from the Greek word gnōmōn which means indi

  • gnosis

    Etymology Greek γνῶσις gnōsis knowledge Meaning Gnosis is a term used

  • gnostic

    Etymology The word gnostic is derived from the Ancient Greek word gnōstikos which m

  • gnostic

    Etymology The word gnostic is derived from the Ancient Greek word gnōstikos which m

  • ignoble

    Etymology The word ignoble comes from the Latin word ignobilis which is composed of

  • ignore

    Noun cat dog tree car book Verb run jump walk talk eat Adjective big small red

  • incognito

    Etymology The word incognito originates from the Latin phrase in cognito which means

  • kenning

    Etymology Old Norse kenning knowledge recognition Meaning A kennning is a type

  • kith

    Etymology Kith is derived from the Old English word cyððe meaning acquaintance

  • know

    Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It investigates how words have

  • knowledge

    Etymology Derived from the Middle English knowleche which itself comes from Old Engl

  • narrate

    Etymology Narrate comes from the Latin verb narrare which means to tell relate or

  • narration

    Etymology The word narration originates from the Latin word narratio which means a

  • nobility

    Etymology Latin nobilitas Proto Indo European ne bʰel to know understand

  • noble

    Etymology The English word noble comes from the Old French noble c 1080 which is

  • notice

    Etymology Notice derives from the Latin word noticia meaning knowledge notice inte

  • notify

    Etymology Origin Middle English notifeien Old French notifier Latin notare to mark

  • notion

    Etymology of Notion The word notion originates from the Old French word notion meani

  • notorious

    Etymology The word notorious is derived from the Latin phrase nota reus which means

  • physiognomy

    Etymology Greek physis nature growth gnomon indicator interpreter Meaning

  • prognosis

    Etymology Greek prognōsis pro before in advance gnōsis knowledge opinion

  • quaint

    Etymology The word quaint comes from the Old French word coint meaning refined or

  • recognize

    Etymology The study of the origin and history of words Meaning Etymology provides insi

  • reconnaissance

    Etymology Middle English reconissaunce from Anglo French reconissaunce from Latin reco

  • reconnoiter

    Etymology Reconnoiter Middle English reconnoitren lt Old French reconoitre lt Late

  • uncouth

    Etymology The word uncouth comes from Middle English uncouthe which in turn origina

  • Zend

    Etymology The word Zend is derived from the modern Persian word zend which means c

  • Marcionite

    Etymology and Meaning Marcionite is an adjective or noun that refers to a member or fol

  • demiurge

    Etymology The word demiurge comes from the Greek word δημιουργός dēmiour

  • Manichaeism

    Etymology From the Greek Manichaios named after its founder Mani Meaning A du

  • Sabian

    Etymology The name Sabian is derived from the Aramaic word ṣāʾbéʾ meaning ba

  • bain marie

    Etymology The term bain marie is derived from the French phrase bain marie which tra

  • advocate

    Etymology The word advocate comes from the Latin word advocare which means to call

  • exponent

    Etymology The word exponent comes from the Latin word exponere which means to set

  • issue

    Etymology The word issue originates from the Old French word issu which is the past

  • entail

    Etymology Middle English entaillen from Anglo Norman French entailler from Old French