ACKNOWLEDGE

ak-nol'-ej (gignosko): To declare that one recognizes the claims of a person or thing fully established. Both in Old Testament and New Testament expressed by various forms of the word "know" (Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 61:9; Colossians 2:2 the King James Version). The Psalmist (Psalms 32:5) "acknowledged" his sin, when he told God that he knew the guilt of what he had done. The Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:14) "acknowledged" Paul and his companions when they formally recognized their claims and authority.

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.