Knowing Christ

“It is important to recognize that by the phrase ‘knowing Christ’ the text implies much more than merely the possession of information about the crucifixion of Jesus. ‘God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe’ (1 Cor 1:21, italics added). Believing is Paul’s term for a form of knowing that does not reject but goes beyond rationality or the mere acquiring of data. It entails a certain leap of faith, a commitment of the self, a decision of the will. A relationship is established between Christ and the individual.
“In terms of his relation to Christ, Paul describes it this way: ‘What I want is to know Christ, the power of his resurrection and the participation in his suffering, by being conformed to his death, if only I may finally attain the resurrection of the dead’ (Phil 3:9-10). Knowing Christ entails a deep involvement in his destiny---both in the vindication of his resurrection from the dead and in the shame of his suffering and death.” - Charles B. Cousar, The Letters of Paul, pg. 101-102