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Gospel of Thomas · 80 of 114 · tr. Thomas O. Lambdin

Logion 80

Jesus said, "He who has recognized the world has found the body, but he who has found the body is superior to the world."
Themes
Kenomacosmology

The void or emptiness outside the pleroma; the realm of matter, ignorance, and deficiency.

The 'world' is implicitly treated as a deficient realm from which one must gain superiority.

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Kingdom Withinanthropology

The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.

The superiority of the found body over the world suggests that the divine realm or power is accessed internally rather than through external means.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] A clear distinction is drawn between the inferior 'world' and the superior state of the enlightened individual.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

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

[auto] The passage emphasizes 'recognition' as the primary means to achieve superiority over the material world.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

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

[auto] The logion employs riddle-like logic characteristic of Thomas to convey spiritual truth through enigmatic statements.

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Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

[auto] Finding the 'body' is interpreted in Gnostic contexts as discovering one's true spiritual nature or inner self.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
taoism|Tao Te Ching|Chapter 33
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will.…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-knowledge and inner mastery as a path to a higher state of being, with Passage A focusing on recognizing the world and the body, and Passage B on knowing oneself and overcoming oneself.