← Home
Gospel of Thomas · 6 of 114 · tr. Thomas O. Lambdin

Logion 6

His disciples questioned him and said to him, "Do you want us to fast? How shall we pray? Shall we give alms? What diet shall we observe?" Jesus said, "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered."
§ Ask Guru about this passage →
Themes
Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

[auto] Jesus redirects the disciples from ritual works to truth and inner consistency, aligning with salvation through knowledge/integrity rather than external rites.

All passages →
Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

[auto] The text emphasizes that hidden things will become manifest, reflecting the theme of esoteric revelation central to the Gospel of Thomas.

All passages →
Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The teaching 'do not do what you hate' subverts conventional moral expectations through paradox.

All passages →
Rejection Of Hypocrisyethics

Critique of outward religious observance that lacks inner transformation; form without substance.

[auto] The passage explicitly contrasts external religious observances (fasting, prayer, alms) with internal integrity (truth, not doing what one hates), critiquing form without substance.

All passages →
Self Examinationpraxis

Daily review of thought and action as spiritual practice.

[auto] The command 'do not do what you hate' requires introspection and alignment of action with internal moral feeling.

All passages →
Related passages · 3 parallels
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 10 (part 9)
"All sacrificing without faith and divine desire is an p. 219 abomination before God, and does not reach the gate of divine glory; but if man enters therein with the power of faith, he surrenders to it his free will, and desires by that me…”
Shared concept: Rejection Of Hypocrisy — Critique of outward religious observance that lacks inner transformation; form without substance. (derived)
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 14 (part 3)
"In so far as a person remains in a will foreign to his true nature, and does not want to be cured of it by entering into the holy Word, this foreign being will take substance in him and hold the celestial essence in subjection; so that the…”
Shared concept: Rejection Of Hypocrisy — Critique of outward religious observance that lacks inner transformation; form without substance. (derived)
christian_mysticism|Meister Eckhart's Sermons (Field translation)|VI-e
Therefore sanctification is the best of all things, for it cleanses the soul, and illuminates the conscience, and kindles the heart, and wakens the spirit, and girds up the loins, and glorifies virtue and separates us from creatures, and un…”
Shared concept: Self Examination — Daily review of thought and action as spiritual practice. (derived)