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Pistis Sophia · 28 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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And Jesus having finished saying these words, sprang up Philippos, he stood up, he put down the book which (is) in his hand; for he it is who writeth every word which Jesus was saying, and with all the (things) which he is doing: came therefore forward Philippos, [65 ] said he to him, My Lord, Am I not alone he to whom thou gavest for me to take care of the World, and to write every word which thou wilt say, and with those which thou wilt do. And thou lettest me not come forward, that I may say the explanation of the mysteries of the repentance of the Pistis Sophia? For my spirit bubbled in me for many times, and was unloosed and compelled me greatly for to come forward that I may say the explanation of the repentance of the Pistis Sophia, and I was not able to come forward, because that I am he who writeth every word. It happened therefore, Jesus having heard Philippos, said he to him, Hear O Philippos the happy, that I may speak with thee, because thou with Thomas with Maththaios are those to whom it was given by the First Mystery to write every word which I shall say, [66 ] with the (things) which I shall do, and with every thing which ye will see. But as for thee, was not yet completed until now the number of the 36 words which thou wilt write. Whenever therefore they should be completed, thou wilt come forward and utter that which thou willest. Now therefore ye are the three, those who will write every word which I shall say, with the (things) which I shall do, with the (things) which I shall see, and that I may bear witness of everything of the kingdom of the heavens. These therefore having said them Jesus, said he to his disciples, He who hath ear to hear let him hear. Sprang up again in front Mariham, she came unto the midst, she stood by Philippos, said she to Jesus, My Lord, hath ear my companion of light, and I prepare me to hear out of my power, and I understood the words [66 ] which thou saidst. Now therefore, My Lord, hear that I may say it boldly. Thou saidst to us, He who hath ear to hear let him hear. Concerning the word which thou saidst unto Philippos, Thou with Thomas with Maththaios are those three to whom it was given by the First Mystery to write every word of the kingdom of the Light, and (to) bear witness to them: hear therefore that I may utter the explanation of this word, this (is) that which thy power of light prophesied once by Mōysēs, that by witness (of) two and three every thing will be established. The three witnesses are Philippos with Thomas with Maththaios. It happened therefore, Jesus having heard this word, said he, Well (done) Maria, this is the explanation [67 ] of the word. Now therefore thou Philippos, Come forward and utter the explanation of the mystery of the fifth repentance of the Pistis Sophia. And afterwards sit (down) and write every word which I shall say, until is completed the number of thy part which thou wilt write in the words of the kingdom of the Light. After these (things) thou shalt come forward and say that which thy spirit will understand. Nevertheless therefore now utter the explanation of the mystery of the fifth repentance of the Pistis Sophia.
Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

The divine is depicted speaking directly to disciples and writing words, attributing human actions to the divine.

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Birth Of Word In Soulanthropology

Eckhart's signature doctrine that the Father eternally begets the Son in the ground of the soul; the human interior as the actual site of the divine generative act, distinct from inner_light's static indwelling.

The text describes a 'spirit bubbled in me' compelling the speaker to speak, indicating an internal divine generative act.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

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

The text contrasts the 'kingdom of the Light' with the 'World' and 'Pistis Sophia,' implying an ontological opposition between light and darkness.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

The passage repeatedly references the 'kingdom of the Light' and the 'power of light' as central to revelation and witness.

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Divine Providencetheology

Pronoia — the doctrine that the divine actively orders the unfolding of the cosmos and human affairs toward intelligible ends, against pure chance or blind necessity.

Jesus actively assigns specific roles and timing for writing and speaking to disciples, ordering the unfolding of events.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

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

The passage emphasizes direct revelation and understanding ('My Lord, hath ear my companion of light') over external faith or ritual.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

The text describes mysteries that require specific spiritual readiness to understand and reveal.

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Inner Lightanthropology

The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection.

Maria claims her 'companion of light' enables her to hear and understand the divine words.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

Jesus is portrayed as an active, responsive reality who speaks and assigns tasks directly to disciples.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

The text specifies exact numbers like '36 words' and 'three witnesses' as structurally significant for revelation.

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Prayerpraxis

Direct address to the divine, whether petitionary, contemplative, or liturgical; speech and silence offered upward.

Disciples engage in direct address ('My Lord') and petitionary speech to the divine.

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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.

Philippos describes his spirit being compelled to speak, indicating a recognition of his own divine capacity.

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Theosis Deificationsoteriology

The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy.

Disciples are granted the ability to write divine words and bear witness to the kingdom.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LXXXI
LXXXI. The Heavenly Tablets and the Mission of Enoch . CHAPTER LXXXI. 1. And he said unto me: 'Observe, Enoch, these heavenly tablets, And read what is written thereon, And mark every individual fact.' p. 108 2 And I observed the heavenly t…”
Both passages involve a divine figure (Jesus in Passage A and Enoch in Passage B) imparting knowledge and instructions to chosen individuals. They emphasize the recording and transmission of sacred knowledge, highlighting the roles of specific individuals in this process.