Nag Hammadi - The Book of Thomas the Contender
THE BOOK OF THOMAS THE CONTENDER (II, 7)
- Introduced and translated by JOHN D. TURNER
The Book of Thomas the Contender is a dialogue between the resurrected Jesus and his brother Judas Thomas, and is allegedly recorded by a certain Mathaias (the apostle Matthew?) as he heard them speaking together. The literary genre of the tractate—a genre also represented in several other tractates from the Nag Hammadi library—is the Gnostic revelation dialogue, typically occurring between the resurrected Savior and a trusted apostle or apostles during the time between the Savior’s resurrection and ascension. Here the trusted individual with whom the resurrected Jesus converses is none other than Thomas, the Savior’s twin who was thought to have direct insight into the nature of the Savior and his teaching. By “knowing himself” Thomas could also know the “depth of the All” from which the Savior came and to which he was going to return; and thus Thomas could become a missionary proclaiming the true (here, the ascetic and somewhat Gnostic) teaching of the exalted Jesus. Hence, like the Gospel of Thomas (II, 2) and the Acts of Thomas , the Book of Thomas the Contender presents traditions about the apostle Thomas such as were prevalent within the ascetic Christianity of Syrian Edessa; the Book of Thomas the Contender was probably composed in Syria during the first half of the third century.
Following the introductory lines of the tractate, the text of the Book of Thomas the Contender can be divided into two major sections. The first section (138, 4-142, 26) consists of a revelation dialogue between Jesus and Thomas, while the second section (142, 26-145, 16) is a monologue, a homily delivered by the Savior. At the end of the tractate are added the title and a final colophon written by the scribe.
Consistently and intensely ascetic in doctrine, the tractate warns against fire—the fire of sexual passions and the fire of hellish punishment. The tractate stresses the true and divine light of the Savior, who as the emissary of the light descends to illumine the eyes and the minds of those living in a darkened world.
THE BOOK OF THOMAS THE CONTENDER
II 138, 1-145, 19
145, 20-23
The secret words that the Savior spoke to Judas Thomas which I, even I Mathaias, wrote down—I was walking, listening to them speak with one another.
The Savior said, “Brother Thomas, while 5 you have time in the world, listen to me and I will reveal to you the things you have pondered in your mind.
“Now since it has been said that you are my twin and true companion, examine yourself that you may understand who you are, in what way you exist, and 10 how you will come to be. Since you are called my brother, it is not fitting that you be ignorant of yourself. And I know that you have understood, because you had already understood that I am the knowledge of the truth. So while you accompany me, although you are uncomprehending, 15 you have (in fact) already come to know, and you will be called ‘the one who knows himself.’ For he who has not known himself has known nothing, but he who has known himself has at the same time already achieved knowledge about the Depth of the All. So then, you, my brother Thomas, have beheld what is obscure 20 to men, that is, that against which they ignorantly stumble.” ’
Now Thomas said to the Lord, “Therefore I beg you to tell me what I ask before your Ascension, and when I hear from you about 25 the hidden things, then I can speak about them. And it is obvious to me that the truth is difficult to perform before men.”
The Savior answered, saying, “If the things that are visible to you are obscure to you, how can you hear 30 about the things that are not visible? If the deeds of the truth that are visible in the world are difficult for you to perform, how indeed, then, shall you perform those that pertain to the exalted height and to the Pleroma which are not visible? And how shall you be called ‘Laborers’? 35 In this respect you are apprentices, and have not yet received the height of perfection.”
Now Thomas answered and said to the Savior, “Tell us about these things that you say are not visible, [but] are hidden from us.”
The Savior said, “[All] bodies [of men and] 40 beasts are begotten [irrational. Surely] it is evident in the way [a creature . . .]. Those, however, that are above [are not visible among] things that are visible, but are visible 139 in their own root, and it is their fruit that nourishes them. But these visible bodies eat of creatures similar to them with the result that the bodies change. Now that which changes will 5 decay and perish, and has no hope of life from then on, since that body is bestial. So just as the body of the beasts perishes, so also will these formations perish. Do they not derive from intercourse like that of the beasts? If (the body) too derives from (intercourse), 10 how will it beget anything different from (beasts)? So, therefore, you are babes until you become perfect.”
And Thomas answered, “Therefore I say to you, Lord, that those who speak about things that are invisible and difficult 15 to explain are like those who shoot their arrows at a target at night. To be sure, they shoot their arrows as anyone would—since they shoot at the target— but it is not visible. Yet when the light comes forth and hides the darkness, then the work of each will appear. 20 And you, our light, enlighten, Lord.” ’
Jesus said, “It is in light that light exists.” ’
Thomas spoke, saying, “Lord, why does this visible light that shines on behalf of men rise and set?”
The Savior 25 said, “O blessed Thomas, of course this visible light shone on your behalf—not in order [that] you remain here, but rather that you come forth—’ and whenever all the elect abandon bestiality, then this light will withdraw 30 up to its essence, and its essence will welcome it since it is a good servant.”
Then the Savior continued and said, “O unsearchable love of the light! O bitterness of the fire that burns in the bodies of men and in 35 their marrow, burning in them night and day, burning in the limbs of men and [making] their minds drunk and their souls deranged [and moving] them within males and females [by day and] night and moving them [with] a 40 [movement that moves] secretly and visibly. For the males [move; they move upon the females] and the females upon [the males. Therefore it is] 140 said, ‘Everyone who seeks the truth from true wisdom will make himself wings so as to fly, fleeing the lust that scorches the spirits of men.’ And he will make himself wings to flee 5 every visible spirit.”
And Thomas answered, saying, “Lord, this indeed is what I am asking you about, since I have understood that you are the one who is good for us, as you say.”
Again the Savior answered and said, “Therefore it is necessary 10 for us to speak to you, since this is the doctrine for the perfect. If, now, you desire to become perfect, you shall observe these things; if not, your name is ‘Ignorant,’ since it is impossible for a wise man to dwell with a fool, for the wise man is perfect in all wisdom. 15 To the fool, however, the good and bad are the same—for ‘the wise man will be nourished by the truth’ and ‘will be like a tree growing by the meandering stream’—seeing that there are some who, although having wings, rush upon the visible things, things that 20 are far from the truth. For that which guides them, the fire, will give them an illusion of truth, [and] will shine on them with a [perishable] beauty, and it will imprison them in a dark sweetness and captivate them with fragrant pleasure. 25 And it will blind them with insatiable lust and burn their souls and become for them like a stake stuck in their heart which they can never dislodge. And like a bit in the mouth it leads them according to its 30 own desire.
“It has fettered them with its chains and bound all their limbs with the bitter bond of lust for those visible things that will decay and change and swerve by impulse. They have 35 always been attracted downwards: as they are killed, they are assimilated to all the beasts of the perishable realm.”
Thomas answered and said, “It is obvious and has been said, ‘[Many are the things revealed] to those who do not know [that they will forfeit 40 their] soul.’”
And [the Savior] answered, saying, “[Blessed is] the wise man who [sought after the truth, and] when he found it, he rested 141 upon it forever and was unafraid of those who wanted to disturb him.”
Thomas answered and said, “Is it good for us, Lord, to rest among our own?”
The Savior said, “Yes, it is useful. 5 And it is good for you since things visible among men will dissolve—for the vessel of their flesh will dissolve, and when it is brought to naught it will come to be among visible things, among things that are seen. And then the fire which they see gives them pain 10 on account of love for the faith they formerly possessed. They will be gathered back to that which is visible. Moreover, those who see among things that are not visible, without the first love they will perish in the concern for this life and the scorching in the fire. Only a little time 15 until that which is visible dissolves; then shapeless shades will emerge and in the midst of tombs they will forever dwell upon the corpses in pain and corruption of soul.” ’
Thomas answered and said, “What have we 20 to say in the face of these things? What shall we say to blind men? What doctrine should we express to these miserable mortals who say, ‘We came to [do] good and not to curse,’ and yet [claim], ‘Had we not been begotten in the flesh, we would not have 25 known [iniquity]’?”
The Savior said, “Truly, as for [those], do not esteem them as men, but regard them [as] beasts, for just as beasts devour one another, so also men of this sort devour one another. On the contrary, they are deprived of [the kingdom]30 since they love the sweetness of the fire and are servants of death and rush to the works of corruption. They fulfill the lust of their fathers. They will be thrown down to the abyss and be afflicted by the torment of the bitterness of their evil nature.35 For they will be scourged so as to make them rush headlong to the place that they do not know, and they [will not recede from] their limbs patiently, but [with] despair. And they rejoice over [the concern for this life with] madness and derangement! [Some]40 pursue [this] derange- ment without realizing [their madness, thinking] that they [are] wise. [They are beguiled by the] beauty of their body [as if it would not perish. And] 142 they are frenetic; their thought is occupied with their deeds. But it is the fire that will burn them!” ’
And Thomas answered and said, “Lord, what will the one thrown down to them do? For I am most anxious 5 about them; many are those who fight them.” ’
The Savior answered and said, “Do you possess that which is visible?”
Judas—the one called Thomas—said, “It is you, Lord, whom it befits to speak, and me to listen.” 10
The Savior replied, “Listen to what I am going to tell you and believe in the truth. That which sows and that which is sown will dissolve in their fire—within the fire and the water—and they will hide in tombs of darkness. And after a long time they shall appear as 15 the fruit of the evil trees, being punished, being slain in the mouth of beasts and men at the instigation of the rains and winds and air and the light that shines above.”
Thomas replied, “You have certainly persuaded us, Lord.20 We realize in our heart and it is obvious that this is so, and that your word is sufficient. But these words that you speak to us are ridiculous and contemptible to the world since they are misunderstood. So how can we go 25 preach them, since we are [not] esteemed [in] the world?”
The Savior answered and said, “[Truly] I tell you that he who will listen to [your] word and turn away his face or sneer at it or smirk at these things, truly 30 I tell you that he will be handed over to the Ruler above who rules over all the powers as their king, and he will turn that one around and cast him from heaven down to the abyss, and he will be imprisoned in a narrow 35 dark place. Moreover, he can neither turn nor move on account of the great depth of Tartaros and the [heavy bitterness] of Hades that besets [him. They are imprisoned] in it in [order that they might not escape]—their [madness] will not be forgiven. [And 40 the Rulers who will] pursue you [will] deliver [them over to the] angel Tartarouchos [and he will take whips of] fire, pursuing them 143 [with] fiery scourges that cast a shower of sparks into the face of the one who is pursued. If he flees westward, he finds the fire. If he turns southward, he finds it there as well. If he turns northward, the threat 5 of seething fire meets him again. Nor does he find the way to the East so as to flee there and be saved, for he did not find it in the day he was in the body, so that he will find it in the day of Judgment.”
Then the Savior continued, saying, “Woe to you, godless ones, who have no hope,10 who rely on things that will not happen!
“Woe to you who hope in the flesh and in the prison that will perish! How long will you be oblivious? And the imperishables, do you think that they will perish too? Your hope is set upon the world and your god is this life! 15 You are corrupting your souls!
“Woe to you for the fire that burns in you, for it is insatiable! ’
“Woe to you because of the wheel that turns in your minds!
“Woe to you because of the burning that is in you, for it will devour your flesh openly 20 and rend your souls secretly, and prepare you for your companions!
“Woe to you, captives, for you are bound in caverns! You laugh! In mad laughter you rejoice! You neither realize your perdition, nor25 do you reflect on your circumstances, nor have [you] understood that you dwell in darkness and death! On the contrary, you are drunk with the fire and [full] of bitterness. Your mind is deranged on account of the [burning that is in] you, and sweet to you is the crown of30 your enemies’ blows! And the darkness rose for you like the light, for you surrendered your freedom for servitude! You darkened your hearts and surrendered your thoughts to folly, and you filled your thoughts35 with the smoke of the fire that is in you! And your light has hidden in the cloud [of darkness] and the garment that is put upon you, you [pursued deceitfully] and [you] were seized [by the hope that] does not exist. And whom is it [you40 have] believed? Do you [not know that you] all dwell among those who [want you to curse] yourselves as if [your hope were non-existent]? 144 You baptized your souls in the water of darkness! You walked by your own whims!
“Woe to you who dwell in error, heedless that the sun which judges and 5 looks down upon the All will circle around all things so as to enslave the enemies. You do not even notice the moon, how by night and day it looks down, looking at the bodies of your corpses!
“Woe to you who love intimacy with womankind 10 and polluted intercourse with it!
“And woe to you because of the powers of your body, for those will afflict you!
“Woe to you because of the forces of the evil demons! ’
“Woe to you who beguile your limbs with the fire!15 Who is it that will rain a refreshing dew on you to extinguish the mass of fire from you along with your burning? Who is it that will cause the sun to shine upon you to disperse the darkness in you and hide the darkness and polluted water?
“The sun 20 and the moon will give a fragrance to you, together with the air and the spirit and the earth and the water. For if the sun does not shine upon these bodies, they will wither and perish just like weeds or grass. If the sun shines on (the weeds), it prevails and chokes 25 the grapevine; but if the grapevine prevails and shades those weeds [and] all that other brush growing alongside and [spreads] and flourishes, it alone inherits the land in which it grows 30 and dominates every place it shaded. And then when it grows up, it dominates all the land and is bountiful for its master, and it pleases him even more, for he would have suffered great pains on account of these plants until he uprooted them. But the 35 grapevine alone removed them and choked them, and they died and became like the soil.”
Then Jesus continued and said, “[Woe to you], for you did not receive the doctrine, and those who are [ignorant] will labor at preaching [instead of you],40 and [you] are rushing into [profligacy. Yet there are some who have been] sent down to [rescue all those whom] you killed daily 145 in order that they might rise from death.
“Blessed are you who have prior knowledge of the stumbling blocks and who flee alien things.
“Blessed are you who are reviled and not esteemed on account of the love 5 their Lord has for them.
“Blessed are you who weep and are oppressed by those without hope, for you will be released from every bondage.
“Watch and pray that you not come to be in the flesh, but rather that you come forth from the bondage of the bitterness 10 of this life. And as you pray, you will find rest, for you have left behind the suffering and the disgrace. For when you come forth from the sufferings and passion of the body, you will receive rest from the Good One, and you will reign with the King,15 you joined with him and he with you, from now on, for ever and ever. Amen.” ’
The Book of Thomas ’
the Contender writing ’
to the Perfect. 20
Remember me also, my brethren, ’
[in] your prayers: ’
Peace to the Saints ’
and the Spiritual.
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