{"id":8844,"date":"2025-11-24T01:15:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T01:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/?p=8844"},"modified":"2025-12-13T20:47:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T20:47:43","slug":"the-gospel-of-truth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/2025\/11\/24\/the-gospel-of-truth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gospel of Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I open with a video (34:11 minutes) that gives a narrated overview of the Gospel. I follow it with a translation of the original Coptic text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Gospel Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Gospel of Truth: Hidden Gnostic Wisdom Finally Explained\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KeMjvaK1QnM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cosmology described herein is covered more extensively in other Gnostic texts that I hope to eventual review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gnosis is the kind of knowledge that is obtained by experience &#8211; by remembering and personal revelation. It is not book learning. For this reason, as I review the texts and narrated videos, I extract simple practices that will help the practitioner become more self-aware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginning at 24:17, the video gives seven practices towards awakening. Thre video gives an expanded explanation with examples of simple practices. Don&#8217;t try all at once as you will fail. Start with a couple of simple exercises. Add to them as you experiences personal understanding of the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognizing the fog &#8211; the practice of inner discernment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remembering the source.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gathering the fragments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Re-framing error.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Living as the revealer. Living Christ&#8217;s role.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The joy of return.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A daily Gnostic ritual.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">The Text of the Gospel <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">I have made available two translations of the Gospel<sup>1,2<\/sup>. I will use the first by including it inline even though it&#8217;s somewhat lengthy. I listened to (read) the second translation first. I say &#8220;listened to&#8221; because I cannot read well and have software that reads text to me. Then I listened to the first translation by Mattison and found it more understandable. This of course, may be due to already having heard it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Gospel of Truth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>by Mark M. Mattison<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Nag Hammadi Codex I, 3. For information about the surviving manuscripts of the Gospel of Truth, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gospels.net\/manuscript\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Manuscript Information<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;page. For additional information about the translation, see the introduction to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/35461016\/The_Gospel_of_Truth_A_Public_Domain_Transcription_and_Translation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PDF version<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For additional reflections about the history, context, and meaning of the Gospel of Truth, see my book, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/39YzbKn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>The Gospel of Truth: The Mystical Gospel<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Note that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.luminescence-llc.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Luminescence, L.L.C.<\/strong><\/a> earns commissions for purchases made through links in this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Symbols<\/strong><br><strong>16 <\/strong>Page Number<br>[ ] Gap in the text<br>( ) Editorial insertion<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prologue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>16 <\/strong>The Gospel of Truth is a joy for those who\u2019ve received grace from the Father of Truth, that they might know him through the power of the Word that came from the fullness \u2013 the one who\u2019s in the thought and mind of the Father. They call him \u201cSavior.\u201d That\u2019s the name of the work he\u2019ll do to redeem those who had become <strong>17<\/strong> ignorant of the Father. And the term \u201cthe Gospel\u201d is the revelation of hope, the discovery of those who search for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Error and Forgetfulness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since all searched for the one from whom they had come \u2013 all were within him, the uncontainable, inconceivable one who\u2019s beyond every thought \u2013 (and) since ignorance of the Father caused anguish and terror,&nbsp;and the anguish grew thick like a fog, so that no one could see \u2013 Error was strengthened. It worked on its own matter in vain,&nbsp;not knowing the Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It happened in a deluding way, as it (Error) prepared with power, in beauty, a substitute for the Truth.&nbsp;Now this wasn\u2019t humiliating for the uncontainable, inconceivable one, because the anguish and forgetfulness and delusion of deceit were like nothing, whereas the Truth is established, unchangeable, unperturbed, beyond beauty. Because of this, disregard Error, since it has no root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It happened in a fog concerning the Father. It happens (now) since it (Error) prepares works in forgetfulness and terror, so that with them it (Error) might attract those in the middle and imprison them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The forgetfulness of Error wasn\u2019t revealed; it wasn\u2019t a <strong>18<\/strong> [thought]&nbsp;from the Father. Forgetfulness didn\u2019t come into being from the Father, though it did come into being because of him. What comes into being within him is the knowledge, which was revealed so that forgetfulness might be dissolved, and the Father might be known. Forgetfulness came into being because the Father was unknown, so when the Father comes to be known, forgetfulness won\u2019t exist anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Gospel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the Gospel of the one they search for, revealed to those who are complete through the mercies of the Father, the hidden mystery. Through it (the Gospel), Jesus Christ enlightened those who were in darkness through forgetfulness. He enlightened them; he showed them a Way, and the Way is the Truth which he taught them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, Error was angry. It pursued him. It was threatened by him and brought to nothing. They nailed him (Jesus) to a tree, and he became the fruit of the Father\u2019s knowledge. However, it (the fruit) didn\u2019t cause destruction when it was eaten, but those who ate it were given joy in the discovery. He discovered them in himself and they discovered him in themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the uncontainable, inconceivable one \u2013 the Father, the complete one who made all \u2013 all are within him, and all need him.&nbsp;Although he kept their completion within himself which he didn\u2019t give to all, the Father wasn\u2019t jealous. Indeed, what jealousy is there between him and his members? <strong>19<\/strong> For if, like this, the generation [received the completion,] they couldn\u2019t have come [\u2026] the Father. He keeps their completion within himself, giving it to them to return to him with a unitary knowledge in completion. He\u2019s the one who made all, and all are within him, and all need him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like someone who\u2019s unknown, he wants to be known and loved \u2013 because what did all need if not the knowledge of the Father?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He became a guide, peaceful and leisurely. He came and spoke the Word as a teacher in places of learning. Those who were wise in their own estimation came up to him to test him, but he confounded them because they were vain. They hated him because they weren\u2019t wise in Truth. After all of them, all the little children came too; theirs is the knowledge of the Father. When they were strengthened, they received teaching about the Father\u2019s expressions. They knew and they were known; they received glory and they gave glory. In their hearts the living Book of the Living was revealed, which was written in the thought and mind <strong>20<\/strong> [of the] Father, and before the [foundation] of all within his incomprehensibility. This (book) is impossible to take, since it permits the one who takes it to be killed. No one could\u2019ve been revealed among those who&#8217;d been entrusted with salvation unless the book had appeared. Because of this, the merciful and faithful Jesus patiently suffered until he took that book, since he knows that his death is life for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a will hasn\u2019t yet been opened, the wealth of the deceased master of the house is hidden; so too all were hidden while the Father of all was invisible. They were from him, from whom every realm comes. Because of this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus was revealed,<br>put on that book,<br>was nailed to a tree,<br>and published the Father\u2019s edict on the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, what a great teaching!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing himself down to death,<br>he clothed himself in eternal life,<br>stripped himself of the perishable rags,<br>and clothed himself in incorruptibility,<br>which no one can take from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When he entered the empty realms of terror, he passed through those who were stripped by forgetfulness, being knowledge and completion, proclaiming the things that are in the heart <strong>21 <\/strong>[\u2026] teach those who will [receive teaching].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Book of the Living<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now those who will receive teaching [are] the living who are written in the Book of the Living. They receive teaching about themselves, and they receive it from the Father, returning to him again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the completion of all is in the Father, it\u2019s necessary for all to go up to him. Then, if someone has knowledge, they receive what are their own, and he draws them to himself, because the one who\u2019s ignorant is in need. And it\u2019s a great need, since they need what will complete them. Since the completion of all is in the Father, it\u2019s necessary for all to go up to him, and for each one to receive what are their own. He inscribed these things beforehand, having prepared them to give to those who came out from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those whose names he knew beforehand were called at the end, so that the one who has knowledge is the one whose name the Father has called, because those whose name hasn\u2019t been spoken are ignorant. Indeed, how can someone hear if their name hasn\u2019t been called? For the one who\u2019s ignorant until the end is a delusion of forgetfulness, and they\u2019ll dissolve with it. Otherwise, why do these miserable ones have no <strong>22 <\/strong>name? Why do they have no voice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So if someone has knowledge, they\u2019re from above. If they\u2019re called, they hear, they reply, and they turn to the one who calls them. And they go up to him, and they know how they are called. Having knowledge, they do the will of the one who called them, they want to please him, and they receive rest. Each one\u2019s name becomes their own. The one who has knowledge like this knows where they come from and where they\u2019re going. They know like one who, having been drunk, turns from their drunkenness, and having returned to themselves, restores what are their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s returned many from Error. He went before them to the realms from which they had moved away. They had received Error because of the depth of the one who surrounds every realm, though nothing surrounds him. It\u2019s a great wonder that they were in the Father, not knowing him, and that they were able to come out by themselves, since they weren\u2019t able to grasp and know the one in whom they were. He revealed his will as knowledge in harmony with all that emanated from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the knowledge of the living book which he revealed to the <strong>23 <\/strong>generations at the end, letters from him revealing how they\u2019re not vowels or consonants, so that one might read them and think they\u2019re meaningless, but they\u2019re letters of the Truth \u2013 they speak and know themselves. Each letter is a complete thought, like a book that\u2019s complete, since they\u2019re letters written by the Unity, the Father having written them so that the generations, by means of his letters, might know the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Return to Unity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His Wisdom meditates on the Word,<br>his teaching speaks it,<br>his knowledge has revealed it,<br>his patience is a crown upon it,<br>his joy is in harmony with it,<br>his glory has exalted it,<br>his image has revealed it,<br>his rest has received it,<br>his love made a body around it,<br>his faith embraced it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this way, the Word of the Father goes out in all, as the fruit <strong>24 <\/strong>[of] his heart and an expression of his will. But it supports all. It chooses them and also takes the expression of all, purifying them, returning them to the Father and to the Mother, Jesus of infinite sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Father reveals his bosom, and his bosom is the Holy Spirit. He reveals what\u2019s hidden of himself; what\u2019s hidden of himself is his Son \u2013 so that through the mercies of the Father, the generations may know him and cease their work in searching for the Father, resting in him and knowing that this is the rest. He\u2019s filled the need and dissolved its appearance \u2013 its appearance is the world in which it served, because where there\u2019s envy and strife there\u2019s need, but where there\u2019s Unity there\u2019s completion. Since need came into being because the Father wasn\u2019t known, when the Father is known, from then on, need will no longer exist. As someone\u2019s ignorance dissolves when they gain knowledge, and as darkness dissolves when the light appears, <strong>25 <\/strong>so also need dissolves in completion. So the appearance is revealed from then on, but it\u2019ll dissolve in the harmony of Unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, their works lie scattered. In time, Unity will complete the realms. Within Unity each one will receive themselves, and within knowledge they\u2019ll purify themselves from multiplicity into Unity, consuming matter within themselves like fire, and darkness by light, death by life. If indeed these things have happened to each one of us, then it\u2019s right for us to think about all, so that this house will be holy and silent for the Unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Parable of the Jars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s like some who\u2019ve left their home, having jars that weren\u2019t any good in places. They broke them, but the master of the house doesn\u2019t suffer any loss. Instead he rejoices, because in place of the bad jars are ones that are full and complete. For this is <strong>26 <\/strong>the judgment that\u2019s come from above; it\u2019s judged everyone. It\u2019s a drawn, two-edged sword which cuts both ways. The Word, which is in the hearts of those who speak it, appeared. It isn\u2019t just a sound, but it was incarnated (embodied).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great disturbance arose among the jars, because some were empty, others filled; some provided for, others poured out; some purified, others broken. All the realms were shaken and disturbed, because they didn\u2019t have order or stability. Error was anxious. It didn\u2019t know what to do; it grieved, mourned, and hurt itself, because it knew nothing. The knowledge, which is its (Error\u2019s) destruction, approached it (Error) and all that emanated from it. Error is empty, with nothing inside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Truth came into their midst, and all that emanated knew it. They welcomed the Father in Truth with a complete power that joins them with the Father. Truth is the Father\u2019s mouth; the Holy Spirit is his tongue. Everyone who loves the Truth and are joined to the <strong>27 <\/strong>Truth are joined to the Father\u2019s mouth. By his tongue they\u2019ll receive the Holy Spirit. This is the revelation of the Father and his manifestation to his generations. He revealed what was hidden of himself; he explained it, because who has anything, if not the Father alone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coming into Being<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every realm emanates from him. They know they\u2019ve come out from him like children who are from someone who\u2019s completely mature. They knew they hadn\u2019t yet received form or a name. The Father gives birth to each one. Then, when they receive form from his knowledge, although they\u2019re really within him, they don\u2019t know him. But the Father is complete, knowing every realm that\u2019s within him. If he wants to, he reveals whomever he wants, giving them a form and a name. He gives a name to them, and causes those to come into being who, before they come into being, are ignorant of the one who made them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not saying, then, that those who haven\u2019t yet come into being are nothing, but they exist <strong>28<\/strong> in the one who will want them to come into being when he wants, like a later time. Before everything is revealed, he knows what he\u2019ll produce. But the fruit which he hasn\u2019t yet revealed doesn\u2019t yet know anything, nor does it do anything. In addition, every realm which is itself in the Father is from the one who exists, who establishes them from what doesn\u2019t exist. For those who have no root have no fruit either. They think to themselves, \u201cI\u2019ve come into being,\u201d but they\u2019ll dissolve by themselves. Because of this, those who didn\u2019t exist at all won\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Parable of the Nightmares<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What, then, did he want them to think of themselves? He wanted to them to think, \u201cI\u2019ve come into being like the shadows and phantoms of the night.\u201d When the light shines on the terror which they received, they know that it\u2019s nothing. In this way, they were ignorant of the Father, whom <strong>29 <\/strong>they didn\u2019t see. Since it was terror and disturbance and instability and doubt and division, many illusions were at work among them, and vain ignorance, like they were deep in sleep and found themselves in nightmares. Either they\u2019re running somewhere, or unable to run away from someone; or they\u2019re fighting, or being beaten; or they\u2019ve fallen from heights, or fly through the air without wings. Sometimes, too, it\u2019s like someone is killing them, even though no one\u2019s chasing them; or they themselves are killing those around them, covered in their blood. Until those who are going through all these nightmares can wake up, they see nothing, because these things are nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the way it is with those who\u2019ve cast off ignorance like sleep. They don\u2019t regard it as anything, nor do they regard its <strong>30 <\/strong>other works as real, but they abandon them like a dream in the night. They value the knowledge of the Father like they value the light. The ignorant have acted like they\u2019re asleep; those who\u2019ve come to knowledge have acted like they\u2019ve awakened. Good for the one who returns and awakens! Blessed is the one who\u2019s opened the eyes of those who can\u2019t see! The Holy Spirit hurried after them to revive them. Having given a hand to the one who lay on the ground, it set them up on their feet, because they hadn\u2019t yet arisen. It gave them the knowledge of the Father and the revelation of the Son, because when they saw him and heard him, he granted them to taste him and to grasp the beloved Son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Revelation of the Son<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When he was revealed, he taught them about the Father, the uncontainable one, and breathed into them what\u2019s in the thought, doing his will. When many had received the light, they turned <strong>31<\/strong> to him. For the material ones were strangers, who didn\u2019t see his form or know him. For he came by means of fleshly form, and nothing could block his path, because incorruptibility can\u2019t be grasped. Moreover, he said new things while he spoke about what\u2019s in the Father\u2019s heart and brought out the complete Word. When the light spoke through his mouth, and by his voice gave birth to life,&nbsp;he gave them thought, wisdom, mercy, salvation, and the Spirit of power from the infinity and sweetness of the Father. He caused punishments and torments to cease, because they led astray into Error and bondage those who needed mercy. He dissolved and confounded them with knowledge. He became:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>a Way for those who were led astray,<br>knowledge for those who were ignorant,<br>a discovery for those who were searching,<br>strength for those who were wavering, and<br>purity for those who were impure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Parable of the Sheep<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s the shepherd who left behind the ninety- <strong>32<\/strong> nine sheep which weren\u2019t lost. He went and searched for the one which was lost. He rejoiced when he found it, because ninety-nine is a number expressed with the left hand. However, when the one is found, the numerical sum moves to the right hand. In this way, what needs the one \u2013 that is, the whole right hand \u2013 draws what it needs, takes it from the left hand, and moves it to the right, so the number becomes one hundred. This is a symbol of the sound of these numbers; this is the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even on the Sabbath, he worked for the sheep which he found fallen in the pit. He saved the life of the sheep, having brought it up from the pit, so that you may know in your hearts \u2013 you\u2019re children of the knowledge of the heart \u2013 what is the Sabbath, on which it isn\u2019t right for salvation to be idle, so that you may speak of the day which is above, which has no night, and of the light that doesn\u2019t set, because it\u2019s complete. Speak then from the heart, because you\u2019re the completed day, and the light that doesn\u2019t cease dwells within you. Speak of the Truth with those who search for it, and of knowledge with those who\u2019ve sinned in their Error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Doing the Father\u2019s Will<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>33 <\/strong>Strengthen the feet of those who stumble, and reach out to those who are sick. Feed those who are hungry, and give rest to those who are weary. Raise up those who want to arise, and awaken those who sleep, because you\u2019re the understanding that\u2019s unsheathed. If strength is like this, it becomes stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be concerned about yourselves. Don\u2019t be concerned about other things which you\u2019ve rejected from yourselves. Don\u2019t return to eat your vomit. Don\u2019t be eaten by worms, because you\u2019ve already shaken it off. Don\u2019t become a dwelling-place for the devil, because you\u2019ve already brought him to naught. Don\u2019t strengthen your obstacles which are collapsing, as though you\u2019re a support. For the lawless one is nothing, to be treated more harshly than the just, doing his works among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do then the Father\u2019s will, because you\u2019re from him. For the Father is sweet, and goodness is in his will. He knows what\u2019s yours, that you may find rest in them. For by the fruits they know what\u2019s yours, because the children of the Father <strong>34 <\/strong>are his fragrance, since they\u2019re from the grace of his expression. Because of this, the Father loves his fragrance, and reveals it in every place. And when it mixes with matter, it gives his fragrance to the light, and in tranquility he causes it to rise above every form and every sound. For it\u2019s not the ears that smell the fragrance, but it\u2019s the Spirit that smells, and draws the fragrance to itself, and sinks down into the Father\u2019s fragrance. He shelters it, then, and takes it to the place from which it came, from the first fragrance which has grown cold. It\u2019s something in a soul-endowed delusion, like cold water sunk into loose earth. Those who see it think that it\u2019s just earth. Afterwards, it dissolves again. If a breath draws it, it becomes warm. So the fragrances which are cold are from the division. Because of this, faith came. It dissolved the division, and it brought the fullness that\u2019s warm with love, so that the cold may not return, but rather the unitary thought of completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Restoring what was Needed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the Word of the Gospel of the discovery of the fullness, which comes for those who are awaiting <strong>35<\/strong> the salvation which is coming from above. The hope for which they\u2019re waiting is waiting for those whose image is light with no shadow in it. If at that time the fullness comes, the need of matter doesn\u2019t come through the infinity of the Father, who comes to give time to the need \u2013 although no one can say that the incorruptible one will come like this. But the depth of the Father multiplied, and the thought of Error didn\u2019t exist with him. It\u2019s something that\u2019s fallen, which is easily set upright in the discovery of the one who\u2019s to come to what he\u2019ll return, because the return is called \u201crepentance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of this, incorruptibility breathed out. It followed after the one who sinned, so that they might rest, because forgiveness is what remains for the light in need, the Word of fullness. For the doctor hurries to the place where there\u2019s sickness, because that\u2019s what he (or she) wants to do. The one in need, then, doesn\u2019t hide it, because one (the doctor) has what they need. In this way the fullness, which has no need but fills the need, is what he <strong>36<\/strong> provided from himself to fill up what\u2019s needed, so that they might receive grace; because when they were in need, they didn\u2019t have grace. Because of this, a diminishing took place where there is no grace. When what was diminished was restored, what they needed was revealed as fullness. This is the discovery of the light of Truth which enlightened them, because it doesn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of this, they spoke of Christ in their midst: \u201cSeek, and those who were disturbed will receive a return \u2013 and he\u2019ll anoint them with ointment.\u201d The ointment is the mercy of the Father, who will have mercy on them. But those whom he anointed are those who have been completed, because full jars are the ones that are anointed. But when the anointing of one dissolves, it empties, and the cause of the need is the place where the ointment leaks, because a breath and its power draws it. But from the one who has no need, no seal is removed, nor is anything emptied, but what it needs is filled again by the Father, who\u2019s complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Father\u2019s Paradise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s good. He knows his plants, because he planted them in his paradise. Now his paradise is a place of rest. This <strong>37<\/strong> is the completion in the Father\u2019s thought, and these are the words of his meditation. Each of his words is the work of his one will in the revelation of his Word. When they were still in the depths of his thought, the Word \u2013 which was the first to come out \u2013 revealed them along with a mind that speaks the one Word in a silent grace. He was called \u201cthe Thought,\u201d since they were in it before being revealed. It happened, then, that he was the first to come out at the time when it pleased the one who wanted it. Now the Father rests in his will, and is pleased with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing happens without him, nor does anything happen without the will of the Father, but his will is incomprehensible. His trace is the will, and no one can know him, nor does he exist for people to scrutinize so that they might grasp him, but when he wills, what he wills is this \u2013 even if the sight doesn\u2019t please them in any way before God \u2013 the will of the Father, because he knows the beginning of all of them, and their end, for in the end he\u2019ll greet them directly. Now the end is receiving knowledge of the one who\u2019s hidden; this is the Father, <strong>38 <\/strong>from whom the beginning has come, and to whom all who\u2019ve come out from him will return. They were revealed for the glory and the joy of his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Father\u2019s Name<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now the name of the Father is the Son. He\u2019s the one who first gave a name to the one who comes out from him, who was himself, and he gave birth to him as a Son. He gave him his name which belonged to him. He\u2019s the one to whom everything around the Father belongs. The name and the Son are his. It\u2019s possible for him to be seen; the name, however, is invisible, because it alone is the mystery of the invisible which comes to ears that are filled completely with it by him. For indeed, the Father\u2019s name isn\u2019t spoken, but it\u2019s revealed through a Son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this way, then, the name is great. Who, then, will be able to utter a name for him, the great name, except him alone to whom the name belongs, and the children of the name, those in whom the Father\u2019s name rests, and who themselves, in turn, rest in his name? Since the Father is unbegotten, it\u2019s he alone who gave birth to him for himself as a name, before he had made the generations, so that the Father\u2019s name might be over their head as Lord, which is the <strong>39<\/strong> true name, confirmed in his command in complete power. For the name isn\u2019t from words and naming; the name, rather, is invisible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He gave a name to him alone. He alone sees him, he alone having the power to give him a name, because whoever doesn\u2019t exist has no name. For what name will they give one who doesn\u2019t exist? But the one who exists, exists also with his name, and he alone knows it, and he\u2019s given a name to him alone. This is the Father; his name is the Son. He didn\u2019t hide it within, then, but it existed. The Son alone gave a name. The name, then, belongs to the Father, as the name of the Father is the beloved Son. Where, indeed, would he find a name, except from the Father?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But doubtless one will ask their neighbor, \u201cWho is it who\u2019ll give a name to the one who existed before them, as if <strong>40 <\/strong>offspring didn\u2019t receive a name from those who gave them birth?\u201d First, then, it\u2019s right for us to consider what the name is. It\u2019s the true name, the name from the Father, because it\u2019s the proper name. So he didn\u2019t receive the name on loan, the way others do, according to the form in which each one will be produced. This, then, is the proper name. There\u2019s no one else who gave it to him. But he\u2019s unnameable, indescribable, until the time when he who\u2019s complete spoke of him alone. And it\u2019s he who has the power to speak his name and to see him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So when it pleased him that his beloved name should be his Son, and he gave the name to him who came out from the depth, he disclosed his secrets, knowing that the Father is without evil. Because of this, he brought him out so that he might speak about the place, and his resting place from which he had come, <strong>41 <\/strong>and to glorify the fullness, the greatness of his name, and the Father\u2019s sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Place of Rest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each one will speak about the place from which they came, and they\u2019ll hurry to return again to the place where they received their restoration to receive from the place where they were, receiving a taste from that place and receiving nourishment, receiving growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And their place of rest is their fullness. All that have emanated from the Father, then, are fullnesses, and the roots of all that have emanated from him are within the one who caused them all to grow. He gave them their destinies. Then each one was revealed, so that through their own thought [\u2026] for the place to which they send their thought is their root, which takes them up through all the heights, up to the Father. They embrace his head, which is rest for them, and they\u2019re grasped, approaching him, as though to say that they receive his expression by means of kisses. But they\u2019re not revealed <strong>42<\/strong> in this way, because they neither exalted themselves, nor wanted the Father\u2019s glory, nor did they think of him as trivial or harsh or wrathful; but he\u2019s without evil, unperturbed, and sweet. He knows every realm before they\u2019ve come into existence, and he has no need to be instructed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the way of those who possess something of the immeasurable greatness from above, as they wait for the complete one alone, who\u2019s a Mother for them. And they don\u2019t go down to Hades, nor do they have envy or groaning, nor death within them, but they rest in the one who rests, not striving nor twisting around in the search for Truth. But they themselves are the Truth, and the Father is within them, and they\u2019re in the Father, being complete. They\u2019re undivided from the truly good one. They don\u2019t need anything, but they rest, refreshed in the Spirit. And they\u2019ll listen to their root. They\u2019ll devote themselves to those things that they\u2019ll find in their root and not suffer loss to their soul. This is the place of the blessed; this is their place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the others, then, may they know, where they\u2019re at, that it\u2019s not right <strong>43 <\/strong>for me, having come to the place of rest, to say anything else, but I\u2019ll come to be in it, and will devote myself continually to the Father of all and the true brothers (and sisters), those upon whom the Father\u2019s love is emptied and in whose midst there is no need. They\u2019re the ones who are revealed in Truth; they exist in the true eternal life, and they speak of the light that\u2019s complete and that\u2019s filled with the Father\u2019s seed, and that\u2019s in his heart and in the fullness. His Spirit rejoices in it, and glorifies the one in whom it existed, because he\u2019s good. And his children are complete, and worthy of his name, because he\u2019s the Father. It\u2019s children like this that he loves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Notes on Translation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 17:<\/strong> <em>\u201cIt happened in a deluding way.\u201d <\/em>Cf. J\u00f6rgen Magnusson, <em>Rethinking the Gospel of Truth: A Study of Its Eastern Valentinian Setting <\/em>(Uppsala University), 2006, p. 77, <em>contra<\/em> most translators, who tend to use <em>\u201ccreation\u201d<\/em> or <em>\u201cform\u201d<\/em> for <em>plasma <\/em>instead of <em>\u201cdelusion.\u201d<\/em> Kendrick Grobel translates <em>\u201cShe was at work upon a molded figure\u201d <\/em>in <em>The Gospel of Truth: A Valentinian Meditation on the Gospel <\/em>(Abingdon Press), 1960, p. 33 (but cf. p. 34); Attridge and MacRae translate <em>\u201cit set about with a creation\u201d<\/em> in James M. Robinson, ed., <em>The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices, Volume I<\/em> (Brill), 2000, p. 83 (but cf. the note in their commentary section later in the volume on page 45); Marvin Meyer translates <em>\u201cshe assumed a fashioned figure\u201d<\/em> in <em>The Nag Hammadi Scriptures<\/em> (HarperOne), 2007, p. 36; Celene Lillie translates <em>\u201cShe \u2026 became a molded form\u201d<\/em> in Hal Taussig, ed., <em>A New New Testament<\/em> (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2013, p. 230; and Bentley Layton translates <em>\u201cshe took up residence in a modeled form\u201d<\/em> in <em>The Gnostic Scriptures<\/em> (Doubleday), 1987, p. 253.&nbsp;The pronoun in the phrase is feminine (which could refer to <em>\u201cError,\u201d<\/em> which is feminine in Coptic) but can also be rendered as <em>\u201cit,\u201d<\/em> as Coptic has no neuter gender. <em>\u201cdelusion of deceit.\u201d <\/em>Also following Magnusson (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 94); cp. Grobel, <em>\u201cdeceitful figure\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 44); Attridge and MacRae, <em>\u201ccreature of deceit\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 83); Meyer, <em>\u201cdeceptive figure\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 36); Lillie, <em>\u201cmolded forms are lies\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 230); Layton, <em>\u201cmodeled form of deception\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 253).&nbsp;<em>\u201cdisregard.\u201d<\/em> Grobel translates <em>\u201clook with scorn\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 46);Attridge and MacRae (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 83), Meyer (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 36), and Layton (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 253) translate <em>\u201cdespise\u201d; <\/em>but cf. Lillie, <em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 230, and Magnusson, <em>op. cit., <\/em>pp. 78, 79.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 18:<\/strong> <em>\u201cthought.\u201d<\/em> The reconstruction is that of Magnusson, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 81. <em>\u201cThis is the Gospel of the one they search for \u2026 the Way is the Truth which he taught them.\u201d<\/em> Based on personal correspondence with Lance Jenott dated November 15, 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 19:<\/strong> <em>\u201cthe Father\u2019s expressions.\u201d <\/em>Literally, \u201cthe forms of the Father\u2019s face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 20: <\/strong><em>\u201cwho\u2019d been entrusted with.\u201d<\/em> Grobel (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 62), Meyer (<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 38), and Layton (<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 255) translate <em>\u201cthose who believed in\u201d; <\/em>Attridge and MacRae translate <em>\u201cthose who have believed in\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 87); Lillie translates <em>\u201cthose who trust in\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 231); but cf. Magnusson, <em>op. cit., <\/em>pp. 137, 138.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 21: <\/strong><em>\u201cdelusion.\u201d<\/em> Grobel translates <em>\u201cfigure\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 74); Attridge and MacRae (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 89) and Meyer (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 35) translate<em>\u201ccreature\u201d; <\/em>Lillie translates <em>\u201ccreatures\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 231); Layton translates <em>\u201cmodeled form\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 256); but cf. Magnusson, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 22: <\/strong><em>\u201cHe revealed his will as knowledge in harmony with all that emanated from him.\u201d<\/em> For clarity, this translation follows Lilliein omitting the preceding phrase which creates a logical incoherence: <em>\u201cIf his will hadn\u2019t come out from him.\u201d<\/em> It appears that either the author changed direction mid-sentence, or the scribe copying this text made an error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pages 23, 34, and 41:<\/strong> <em>\u201cexpression.\u201d <\/em>Literally, \u201cform of face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 34: <\/strong><em>\u201cdelusion.\u201d <\/em>Grobel translates <em>\u201canimate mold\u201d <\/em>(<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 152); Attridge and MacRae (<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 105), Meyer (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 44), and Lillie (<em>op. cit., <\/em>p. 235) translate <em>\u201cform\u201d; <\/em>Layton translates <em>\u201cmodeled form\u201d<\/em> (<em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 261); but cf. Magnusson, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 116.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Page 42: <\/strong><em>\u201ca Mother,\u201d <\/em>following Meyer, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 47 (but cf. n. 49); Lillie, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 238 (but cf. note); Layton, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 264; alternatively, <em>\u201cis there\u201d;<\/em> cf. Grobel, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 196; Attridge and MacRae, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 117; Magnusson, <em>op. cit.,<\/em> p. 126.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The reference to &#8220;error&#8221; at the start of the Gospel is a reference to the Demiurge created by Sophia in the Gnostic literature. References to &#8220;the fullness&#8221; may be to the Pleroma. References to light and shadow may be to thee nature of the creation of the Demiurge and the light which comes from Sophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gospels.net\/truth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gospel of Truth<\/a>. Mark M. Mattison.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnosis.org\/naghamm\/got-barnstone.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gospel of Truth<\/a>. Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Articles in This Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Refer to the series index in <a href=\"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/2025\/11\/23\/gnostic-wisdom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gnostic Wisdom<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">***<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you liked this post, consider subscribing \u2013 in right-hand sidebar \u2013 if you are not a subscriber already. Please forward it to anyone else you might think will benefit from it. We are at a critical point in time where we need to disseminate truth to those who have ears to hear, and be forming communities of like-minded individuals. If you want to discuss an idea or issue, contact me \u2013 see <a href=\"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/home\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contacts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d445cf74 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\".\/\">Back to Top<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I open with a video (34:11 minutes) that gives a narrated overview of the Gospel. I follow it with a translation of the original Coptic text. The Gospel Explained The cosmology described herein is covered more extensively in other Gnostic texts that I hope to eventual review. Application Gnosis is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[832],"tags":[835],"class_list":["post-8844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gnostic-wisdom","tag-the-gospel-of-truth"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8844"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8948,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8844\/revisions\/8948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoog.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}