Bible Dictionary
GNOSTICISM
Gnosticism was a collection of speculative religious systems that claimed a secret higher knowledge and often treated matter as evil. Its denial of Christ’s true humanity and its distortion of redemption made it a serious threat to the early church.
Biblical Usage
Gnosticism is not directly named in the New Testament except possibly in the warning against falsely called knowledge in 1 Timothy 6:20. Nevertheless, the material identifies its influence as a serious peril within the apostolic church, reflected especially in Colossians, the Pastorals, 1 John, and Revelation.