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Pistis Sophia · 112 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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He who taketh up a mystery and completeth it, afterwards therefore whenever he should ask any (every) thing, poverty and riches, weakness and strength, disease and sound body, with every healing of the body, and with the raising of the dead, and to cure the lame with the blind with the deaf with the dumb, with every sickness with every pain, in one word, he who will complete that mystery and ask (every) thing which I said, it will [256 ] happen to him instantly. These therefore having said them the Saviour, came forward the disciples, they cried out all one after (upon, MS ) another, saying, O Saviour, thou distracted us greatly with the greatnesses which thou sayest to us, and because thou tookest away our souls, and they became compelled to come out of us in unto thee, (for) because that ones out of thee they are. Now therefore because of these greatnesses were distracted our souls these which thou sayest unto us, and they were pressed greatly greatly unto a wishing to come out of us unto the Height unto the Place of thy kingdom. These therefore having said them the disciples, added also the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Whenever ye should go to cities or kingdoms or countries, preach to them at first, saying, Seek at every hour, and [257 ] leave not off even until ye find the mysteries of the Light, these which will take you in unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Take heed unto you of the teachings of error, otherwise there are a multitude coming in my name saying, I am, being not I, and they will deceive a multitude. Now therefore every man who cometh (close) to you and believe you, and hearken unto your words, and do that (which is) 141 worthy of the mysteries of the Light, then give to them the mysteries of the Light, and hide not them from them: and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are high, give them to him, and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are lower, give them to him, and hide not any from any. The mystery indeed of the raising the dead and curing the sicknesses, give it not to any, nor teach in it: because that mystery is the (mystery) of the Rulers, it with all its namings. Because of this therefore [257 ] give it not to any, nor teach in it, even until ye establish the faith in all the World: that whenever ye should come into cities or countries and they do not receive you unto them, and they believe you not and they hearken not unto your words, and ye should raise dead (ones) in those places, and cure the lame with the blind with the sicknesses which are various in those places: and through you all these of this kind they will believe you, that ye are preaching the God of the Universe, and they (will) believe every word from you: because of this therefore I gave to you that mystery, even until ye establish the faith in all the World. These therefore having said them the Saviour, he added also in the word, said he to Maria, Now therefore hear, Maria, concerning [258 ] the word of which thou sought from me, What it is which compelleth the man even until he doeth sin.
Themes
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 states that souls are compelled to come out of the disciples into the Saviour, implying a divine generative act within the human.

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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 text describes the body as a source of disease and weakness that must be overcome to access the mysteries of the Light.

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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 passage contrasts the Kingdom of the Light with error and teaches that one must seek the mysteries of the Light to find salvation.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

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

The text emphasizes seeking the mysteries of the Light which are not immediately apparent or widely known.

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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 'mysteries of the Light' as the central object of search and salvation.

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Eschatological Judgmentsoteriology

Final, collective cosmic judgment as an event in which the wicked are sentenced and the cosmos restored; distinct from psychopomp_journey (individual passage at death) and emphasising verdict where Zoroastrian frashokereti emphasises restoration.

The text warns that those who come in the name of the Saviour but are not worthy will be deceived by error.

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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 contingent upon completing a mystery and possessing direct knowledge rather than 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 warns that certain mysteries are reserved for the worthy and must not be taught to all.

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Kingdom Withinanthropology

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

The disciples are instructed to seek the mysteries of the Light which will take them in unto the kingdom of the Light.

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Living Godtheology

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

The Saviour is depicted as an active, responsive reality who responds to those who complete mysteries and ask for things.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

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

The text describes souls being compelled to come out of the disciples into the Saviour, indicating a merging or union with the divine.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

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

The text uses the paradoxical statement that those who come in the name of the Saviour but are not worthy will be deceived.

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Prayerpraxis

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

Disciples cry out to the Saviour and seek him directly in their distress.

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Renunciation Of Wealthethics

The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.

The text lists poverty and riches as things that can be asked for, indicating a spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions.

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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 disciples are compelled to come out of themselves into the Saviour, reversing their separation from the divine 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 instruction to take heed of teachings of error implies a requirement for spiritual cleanliness or correctness in doctrine.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

The text warns that the mystery of raising the dead is associated with the namings of the Rulers and must not be taught to all.

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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 disciples are described as having their souls distracted and pressed unto a wishing to come out of them into the Height.

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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 text describes a movement from the disciples' current state to the Height and the Place of the kingdom of the Light.

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Related passages · 4 parallels
hermeticism|Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres|Section 1d
Thou seem'st, He said, O thou, not to have given heed to what thou heardest. Did I not bid thee think? Yea do I think, and I remember, and therefore give Thee thanks. If thou didst think [thereon], [said He], tell me: Why do they merit d…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of spiritual knowledge and self-awareness for achieving transcendence and overcoming the limitations of the physical body. They also highlight the role of divine mysteries or gnosis in attaining a higher spiritual state.
sufism|The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi)|STORY XVa
Counsels of Reserve given by the Prophet to his Freedman Zaid. At dawn the Prophet said to Zaid, "How is it with thee this morning, O pure disciple?" He replied, "Thy faithful slave am I." Again he said, "If the garden of faith has bloomed…”
Both passages discuss the transmission of mystical knowledge and the importance of discretion in sharing it. They emphasize the transformative power of this knowledge and the need for the recipient to be worthy or prepared.
western_esoteric|Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky)|Chapter XXII (part 10)
But it does not bear fruit presently; and, though it blossoms, they fall off; also many a cold wind, frost and snow, puff upon it, before it comes to any growth and bearing of fruit. Boehme's books are full of wonderment before these myste…”
Both passages discuss the attainment of spiritual insights and the transformation of the self through mystical practices. They emphasize the importance of seeking higher truths and the role of the individual in achieving a deeper connection with the divine.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|9. Initiationb
He knows the failings of the human heart; he dares make use of them to achieve his work; and he is silent as to his purposes. He knows the significance of all symbolisms and of all religions; he dares to practise or abstain from them witho…”
Both passages discuss the importance of secrecy and the proper dissemination of sacred knowledge or mysteries. They also highlight the trials and tribulations faced by those who possess such knowledge, emphasizing the need for perseverance and silence.