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Pistis Sophia · 90 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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And he who will receive the one word of that mystery, this which I shall say unto you now with all its (his, 114 MS thus again) types with all its figures, with the manner of completing its mystery: because that ye are the perfect of all-perfect. And ye are that which will complete all knowledge [211 ] of that mystery with all its arrangement with its...: because ye are those to whom they entrusted every mystery. Hear therefore now, that I may say unto you that mystery which is this, He who will receive therefore the one word of the mystery, this which I said unto you, whenever he should come out the body of the matter of the Rulers, and should come the Receivers of Contentious (ones), and they should loosen him out of the body of the matter of the Rulers of the Receivers of Contentious (ones), namely, they are wont to loosen every soul which cometh out of the body. If therefore the Receivers of Contentious (ones) should loosen the soul which received this one mystery of the Ineffable this which I finished saying unto you now [211 ] and in the hour they will loosen it from the body of the matter it will become a great effluence of light in the middle of those Receivers and will fear greatly the Receivers before the light of that soul, and will be weakened the Receivers and fall and be silent altogether, out of the fear of the great light which they saw. And the soul which receiveth this mystery of the Ineffable will fly unto the Height becoming a great effluence of light. And will not seize it the Receivers, and they will not know what is the road in which it will go, because that it became a great Beam of light, and it flieth unto the Height: and not [212 ] any power is wont to be able to hold it down at all, nor indeed shall they be able to approach it at all; but it is wont to pass through all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the emanations of the Light, and it is not wont to give answer in any Place, nor is it wont to give defence, nor is it wont to give symbol: for not even shall any power of the Rulers be able, nor shall any power of the emanations of the Light, they shall not be able to approach that soul, but all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the emanations of the Light are wont each to hymn unto it in their Places, being in fear before the Light of the effluence which envelopeth the soul, even until [212 ] it passeth through them all, and goeth unto the Place of the Inheritance of the mystery which it received, namely, the mystery of the Only One, the Ineffable and it becometh joined in unto his members. Amen I say to you, It will become in all the Places in the time of a man shooting an arrow. Now therefore also, Amen I say to you, Every man who will receive that Mystery of the Ineffable and is complete or fulfilleth (it) in all its types with all its 115 figures, is a man being in the World, but he excelleth all Angels and he will excel more than they all, he is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Archangels, and he will excel more than they all. [213 ] He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Tyrants, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Lords, and he will be exalted over them all.
Themes
Apophatic Theologytheology

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The text repeatedly emphasizes the 'Ineffable' nature of the mystery, transcending all positive categories.

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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 soul is described as being loosened from the body of the matter of the Rulers, implying the body hinders 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 of the soul and the fear of the Receivers who are weakened by it.

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Divine Lighttheology

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

The passage centrally describes the soul becoming a 'great effluence of light' that envelops and overwhelms other powers.

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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.

References to 'Places of the Rulers' and 'emanations of the Light' imply a structured hierarchy of divine powers.

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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 defines salvation as receiving the 'one word of that mystery' and completing its knowledge rather than through 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 warns that the mystery is entrusted only to those who will complete it with all its types and figures.

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Inner Lightanthropology

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

The soul becomes a 'great effluence of light' upon receiving the mystery, suggesting an internal luminous quality.

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Kingdom Withinanthropology

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

The divine realm is located within the individual who receives the mystery and becomes joined in unto his members.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

The text states that the soul will become joined in unto his members of the Only One after receiving the mystery.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

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

The text references 'one word' and 'all its types with all its figures' as structural components of the mystery.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

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

The soul is described as a 'great effluence of light' that is simultaneously feared and worshipped by other powers.

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Pneumatic Electsoteriology

A spiritual elite who possess the divine spark and are predestined for salvation, contrasted with psychic (faithful) and hylic (material) persons.

A specific group of 'Receivers of Contentious (ones)' is identified as having the power to loosen souls from the body.

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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 soul flies unto the Height and becomes joined in unto his members of the Only One, indicating a return to origin.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

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

The act of loosening the soul from the body implies a purification or release from material entanglement.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

The 'one word of that mystery' is presented as a powerful formula that grants liberation and status.

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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.

Completing the knowledge of the mystery implies a recognition of one's own true divine nature.

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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 soul is described as flying unto the Height and passing through all Places of the Rulers toward the Place of Inheritance.

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Related passages · 5 parallels
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 1, Section 1e
These mysteries we learn from the Divine Scriptures, and thou wilt find that in well-nigh all the utterances of the Sacred Writers the Divine Names refer in a Symbolical Revelation 72 72 ἐκφαντορικῶς καὶ ὑμνητικῶς. to Its beneficent Emanat…”
Both passages discuss the concept of an ineffable divine mystery that elevates the soul or individual beyond earthly and even celestial realms. They share a theme of transcendence and the transformative power of divine knowledge or mystery.
platonism|Plato: Symposium|Section 1{
"These are the lesser mysteries of love, into which even you, Socrates, may enter; to the greater and more hidden ones which are the crown of these, and to which, if you pursue them in a right spirit, they will lead, I know not whether you…”
Both passages describe a mystical ascent through stages of understanding and perception of beauty or light, leading to a transcendent realization. They share a common theme of progressive spiritual enlightenment and the ultimate union with a higher, ineffable reality.
western_esoteric|Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky)|Chapter XXII (part 13)
Then the understanding of such a man receives from the Holy Spirit the highest and hidden mysteries which according to the divine Paul, neither the human eye can understand nor the human reason comprehend unaided. (Ii Corinthians ii, 9).…”
Both passages describe a transformative mystical experience where the individual transcends ordinary human limitations and achieves a state of divine union or enlightenment. They emphasize the ineffable nature of the experience and the elevation of the individual beyond ordinary states.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|1. The Candidateb
He will fail to understand it, and it will trouble him, while if he should divine the meaning, there will be a still greater source of disquietude. If you hold by anything in the world more than by reason, truth and justice; if your will b…”
Both passages discuss the attainment of a higher spiritual state or knowledge that elevates the individual above ordinary beings. They emphasize the special status and rapid ascent or transformation of those who possess this knowledge, though the specific traditions and terminology differ.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|3. The Triangle Of Solomond
Matthew, and in several Hebrew copies, as follows: “The sacred word MALKUTH substituted for KETHER, which is its kabalistic correspondent, and the equipoise of GEBURAH and CHESED, repeating itself in the circles of heavens called eons by th…”
Both passages discuss the attainment of a higher spiritual state or mystery that elevates the individual above ordinary beings (angels, archangels, etc.) and grants them a special status or power. They also share the theme of a transformative journey or ascension, though described in different terms and contexts.