Pistis Sophia · 33 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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And after these (things) I shall [76 ] fill you with all the light and with all the power of the spirit that ye should understand from this hour all the (things) which they will say unto you, and with the (things) which they will see.

Yet a little other time (and) I shall speak with you all the (things) of the Height from outward even unto inward, and from inward even unto outward.

Added also Jesus in the word, said he to the disciples.

42 It happened therefore, having said her seventh repentance in the Chaos the Pistis Sophia, and not yet the command came to me through the First Mystery, for me to deliver her and bring her up from the Chaos.

But I through my own self in mercifulness, without [77 ] command I brought her unto a Place widened a little in the Chaos.

And having known the material emanations of the Self-willed, that they brought her unto a Place widened a little in the Chaos, they ceased oppressing her for a little, thinking that they are going to bring her up from the Chaos altogether.

These (things) therefore having happened was not knowing the Pistis Sophia that I it (is) who helpeth her, nor was she knowing me at all; but she was wont to continue hymning unto the light of the Treasury, this which she saw at the time, and this which she believed: and she was thinking that he also it (is) who helpeth her, and he it (is) unto whom she was hymning, thinking that it is the Light [77 ] of the truth.

But since she believed the Light, this which belongeth unto the truth of the Treasury, because of this they will bring her up from the Chaos, and receive her repentance from her: but not yet had been fulfilled the precept of the First Mystery for them to receive her repentance from her.

Nevertheless therefore hear that I may say unto you all the words which happened to the Pistis Sophia.

It happened I having brought her unto a Place widened a little in the Chaos, ceased oppressing her entirely the emanations of the Self-willed, thinking that they are going to bring her up from the Chaos altogether.

It happened therefore, having known the emanations of the Self-willed, that they brought not the Pistis Sophia up from the Chaos, they turned also (back) oppressing her greatly.

Because of [78 ] this therefore she said the eighth Repentance, because they had (before) ceased oppressing her, and also they turned (back) they oppressed her unto the end.

She said this repentance, saying thus, I confided in unto thee, O Light, leave me not in the Chaos, redeem me and deliver me in thy knowledge.

I confided in thee and thou deliverest me: become for me deliverer, O Light, and deliver me and bring me (close) to thy light: because thou art my Saviour, and thou wilt bring me (close) to thee.

And because of the mystery of thy name guide me, and give to me thy mystery: and thou wilt deliver me from this power of face of lion which ensnared me; because thou art my Saviour, and I shall give the purgation of my light unto thy hands.

Thou [78 ] deliveredst me, O Light, by thy knowledge.

Thou wast angry with those who are watchful against me, these who will not be able to lay hold on me 43 for ever.

Themes

◆Anthropomorphismtheology

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

The divine is addressed as 'Light' and 'Saviour' with human-like attributes of redemption and deliverance.

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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.

The Chaos represents a state of entrapment from which liberation is sought through spiritual ascent.

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◆Cosmic Dualismtheology

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

A clear opposition exists between the Light/Saviour and the Chaos/emanations of Self-willed powers.

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◆Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The Pistis Sophia initially does not recognize Jesus's true identity despite his active help.

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◆Divine Lighttheology

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

Light is repeatedly invoked as the primary source of truth, salvation, and deliverance from the Chaos.

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◆Emanation Hierarchycosmology

A chain of divine beings or principles flowing downward from a single transcendent source (the One or the Father), each level less perfect than the one above.

The text references 'emanations of the Self-willed' that oppose the Pistis Sophia and must be overcome.

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◆Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

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

Salvation is conditioned on understanding the truth of the Treasury and recognizing the Light's identity.

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◆Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

The Pistis Sophia's repentance and liberation are revealed only to those who understand the specific words spoken by Jesus.

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◆Inner Lightanthropology

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

The Pistis Sophia seeks to be brought 'close' to the Light of the Treasury within her own being.

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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 depicted as an active agent who personally brings the Pistis Sophia from the Chaos and speaks to the disciples.

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◆Prayerpraxis

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

The Pistis Sophia actively hymns and petitions the Light for redemption and deliverance.

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◆Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The narrative centers on the Pistis Sophia being brought from the entrapment of the Chaos back to the Light.

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◆Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

Repentance is presented as a necessary condition for liberation from the chaotic state.

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◆Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

The text emphasizes the power of the 'mystery of thy name' to guide and deliver the Pistis Sophia.

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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 Pistis Sophia is depicted as trapped in the Chaos, oppressed by emanations, and unaware of her true Saviour until liberation occurs.

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◆Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

The Pistis Sophia moves from being oppressed in the Chaos to being brought up by the Light through repentance.

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Related passages · 1 parallel

◆hermeticism|Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles|Section 1b

“And having raised themselves so far they sight the Good; and having sighted it, they look upon their sojourn here as a mischance; and in disdain of all, both things in body and the bodiless, they speed their way unto that One and Only One.…”

Both passages discuss the concept of divine knowledge and the struggle for spiritual liberation. They share themes of redemption, the pursuit of divine light, and the transformation of the self through spiritual insight.