Gospel of Thomas · 87 of 114 · tr. Thomas O. Lambdin

Logion 87

Jesus said, "Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two."

Themes

◆Cosmic Dualismtheology

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

The text establishes an ontological opposition between the body (matter) and the soul (spirit), valuing independence over material dependency.

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◆Separation From Sourcesoteriology

The felt condition of exile from one's divine origin — Rumi's reed flute torn from its bed, Plotinus's 'we have forgotten,' the Gnostic forgetfulness; the affective wound that complements return_to_source and gives the return its motive.

The description of the body and soul's state as 'wretched' reflects the Gnostic condition of exile or deficiency from the divine origin.

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◇Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

[auto] The passage explicitly labels the body's dependency as 'wretched,' aligning with the view of the material body as a hindrance to spiritual wholeness.

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Related passages · 5 parallels

◆neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VIII

““The soul is bound to the body, by a conversion to the passions arising from her union with it.” And, “the soul binds herself in the body.” Philolaus also says, that the ancient theologists and prophets asserted, ως δια τινας τιμωριας α ψυχ…”

Both passages discuss the relationship between the soul and the body, highlighting the negative aspects of their dependence or union. They share a common theme of the soul being burdened or constrained by its connection to the body, though they come from different mystical traditions.

◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 240

“Section 8 8. It is a general principle that, to be modified, an object must be opposed in faculty, and in quality to the forces that enter and act upon it. Thus where heat is present, the change comes by something that chills, where damp by…”

Both passages critique the dependence on the physical body and material existence, emphasizing the need to transcend corporeal limitations to achieve a higher state of being or awareness.

◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 297

“Section 10 10. In view of all this we must now work back from the items to the unit, and consider the entire scheme as one enduring thing. We ascend from air, light, sun- or, moon and light and sun- in detail, to these things as constitutin…”

Both passages discuss the relationship between the body and the soul, highlighting the dependence and the wretchedness or limitations of this dependence. They share a mystical perspective on the nature of the soul and its interaction with the physical body.

◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 402 (part 1)

“Section 2 2. Enquiring, then, of Plato as to our own soul, we find ourselves forced to enquire into the nature of soul in general- to discover what there can be in its character to bring it into partnership with body, and, again, what this…”

Both passages discuss the relationship between the soul and the body, highlighting the negative consequences of the soul's dependence on the body. They share a common theme of the soul's struggle for independence and the wretchedness that comes with attachment to the physical form.

◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 407

“Section 7 7. The Kind, then, with which we are dealing is twofold, the Intellectual against the sensible: better for the soul to dwell in the Intellectual, but, given its proper nature, it is under compulsion to participate in the sense-rea…”

Both passages discuss the relationship between the soul and the body, highlighting the idea that the soul's dependence on the body is undesirable or problematic. They share a conceptual parallel in their critique of the body's influence on the soul.