Pistis Sophia · 138 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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But these having said them Salome, the power of light which (is) in Maria the Magdalene boiled up within her, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, command to me that I may speak with my sister Salome, that I may say unto her the explanation of the word which she said.

It happened therefore, the Saviour having heard these words, saying them Maria, he called her happy greatly greatly.

Answered 172 the Saviour, said he to Maria: I command to thee Maria for to say the explanation of the word which said Salome.

But these having said them the Saviour, Maria sprang up toward Salome she saluted her, said she, My sister Salome because of the word [306 ] which thou saidst, It is written in the Law of Moyses, He who will forsake his father with his mother in a death let him die.

Now therefore my sister Salome, the Law did not say this concerning the soul, nor concerning the body, nor concerning the counterfeit spirit, for these all the sons are of the Rulers, and ones out of them are, but the Law did say this concerning the power which came out of the Saviour, this which is Light-dweller within us to-day.

The Law also said, Every one who will remain outside of the Saviour with his mysteries, his parents, not only that in a death he will die, but in a perishing he will perish.

These therefore having said them Maria, Salome sprang up toward Maria, she saluted her again, said she, Salome, There is a power [307 ] of the Saviour making me understanding as thee also.

It happened the Saviour having heard the words of Maria he called her happy greatly greatly.

Answered also the Saviour, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples.

Hear therefore Maria, Who it is who compelleth the man, even until he should do sin.

Now therefore are wont the Rulers, they are wont to seal the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul, that it should not shake her at every hour, for her to do every sin with every unlawfulness: and also they are wont to order unto the counterfeit spirit, saying to it, Whenever the soul (psykikon, MS ) should come out of the body, shake her not, being imparted unto her, convicting her in all the Places of the judgments, according to Places, because of all the sins which thou causedst her to do, that they should punish her in all the Places [307 ] of the judgments, that she should not be able to go unto the Light, that she should cause them to turn her in unto the change of the body, in one word, they are wont to order the counterfeit spirit, Do not shake her at all in any hour except she should say mystery and loosen all the seals with all the bonds, in which we bound thee in unto her.

And whenever she should say the mysteries and loosen all her seals with all the bonds with the defence of the Place, and whenever she should go, allow her to come, she having been reckoned unto those of the Light of the Height, and she was alien unto us and unto thee, and thou wilt be able to lay hold on her from that hour.

If indeed she should not say the mysteries of the loosening of thy bonds with thy seals with the defence of the Place, lay hold on her, dismiss her not, thou shalt convict 173 [308 ] her in the punishments with all the Places of the judgments concerning every sin which thou caused her to do: and after these take them (close) to the Virgins of the Light, this who is wont to dispatch them unto the cycle another time.

Themes

◆Anthropomorphismtheology

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

The divine is depicted speaking directly to human figures like Maria and Salome.

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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 the power of light boiling up within Maria's spirit.

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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 warns that the soul will perish in a perishing if not protected from the body.

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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 sharp distinction is drawn between the Light of the Height and the counterfeit spirit.

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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 emphasizes the 'power of light' and 'Light-dweller within us'.

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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 references 'Places of the judgments' and punishment for sins.

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◆Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

Salome speaks a word that Maria must explain, indicating esoteric knowledge.

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◆Inner Lightanthropology

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

The text explicitly states there is a 'power of the Saviour making me understanding' within the individual.

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◆Kingdom Withinanthropology

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

The divine power is located internally within the human being rather than externally.

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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 actively commands and responds to Maria's words.

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◆Mystical Unionsoteriology

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

Salome is described as being 'making me understanding' through the power of the Saviour.

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◆Prayerpraxis

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

Maria addresses the Saviour directly with a request to speak to her sister.

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◆Ritual Puritypraxis

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

The Law is cited as forbidding death for those who forsake parents, implying a requirement for familial connection or purity.

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◆Sacred Namestheology

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

The Law is invoked as a source of truth regarding the power within us.

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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.

Maria's ability to speak the explanation implies recognition of her own inner state.

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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.

Salome is described as being made understanding by the power of the Saviour.

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Related passages · 1 parallel

◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 14 (part 7)

“This light moderates the action of the fiery will still active in them, the blessings of their good deeds surround them, the hope for still greater glorification is their life, and from the trouble and persecution which they have suffered t…”

Both passages discuss the concept of the soul's journey and the role of divine mysteries or blessings in determining the soul's fate. They share a focus on the afterlife and the consequences of one's actions and knowledge.