Key Word Connections: The Gospel of Thomas - Galatians


The Gospel of Thomas
Translated by Thomas O. Lambdin
Galatians
An Epistle of Paul the Apostle 

These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.


The living Jesus

Thomas


1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father,

Jesus Christ

Paul


(1) And he said, "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."

Death


1:1 Who raised him from the dead;)



Dead


(2) Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds.


Him who seeks


1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:


The brethren


(2) When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled,








Troubled


1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us
from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Peace


He will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."







Astonished



1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
1:7 Which is not another; but
there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ.

Marvel


(3) Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they 
say to yo
u, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."

Say to you

Say to you

1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.






Preach... unto you

Preached unto you


(4) Jesus said, "The man old in days will not hesitate to ask a small child seven days old about the place of life, and he will live. For many who are first will become last, and they will become one and the same."

The man
 


1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.



Any man


(5) Jesus said, "Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you . For there is nothing hidden which will not become manifest."

What is in your sight

That which is hidden

1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.


Men

God


(6) His disciples questioned him and said to him, "Do you want us to fast? How shall we pray? Shall we give alms? What diet shall we observe?"

Disciples

1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.



Brethren


(6b) Jesus said, "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered."

Uncovered

1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.





Revelation


(7) Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man."



The lion... the lion

Consumed

Man


1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the
church of God, and wasted it:
1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

The Jews' religion...
the jews religion


Wasted

Church


(8) And he said, "The man is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of small fish. Among them the wise fisherman found a fine large fish. He threw all the small fish back into the sea and chose the large fish without difficulty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."

Chose

1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,







Separated


(9) Jesus said, "Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them. Some fell on the road; the birds came and gathered them up. Others fell on the rock, did not take root in the soil, and did not produce ears. And others fell on thorns; they choked the seed(s) and worms ate them. And others fell on the good soil and it produced good fruit: it bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure."


Scattered... seeds

1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:





Preach him


(10) Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes."



The world


1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were
apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Jerusalem


(11) Jesus said, "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. In the days when you consumed what is dead, you made it what is alive. When you come to dwell in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"

The dead


1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.





Jerusalem



(12) The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?"
    Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."

The disciples

James the righteous

1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the lord's brother.







The apostles

James the lord's brother


(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."
    Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel."
    Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
    Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is wholly incapable of saying whom you are like."
    Jesus said, "I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring which I have measured out."
    And he took him and withdrew and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
    Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things which he told me, you will pick up stones
and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up."


Tell me whom I am like


1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.








Before God, I lie not


(14) Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will give rise to sin for yourselves; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your spirits. When you go into any land and walk about in the districts, if they receive you, eat what they will set before you, and heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you, but that which issues from your mouth - it is that which will defile you."


When you go into any land


1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia


(15) Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces and worship him. That one is your father."

Worship him

1:24 And they glorified God in me.




Glorified God


(16) Jesus said, "Men think, perhaps, that it is peace which I have come to cast upon the world. They do not know that it is dissension which I have come to cast upon the earth: fire, sword, and war. For there will be five in a house: three will be against two, and two against three, the father against the son, and the son against the father. And they will stand solitary."


The world

Two

Three

2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.





Jerusalem

James and Peter (1:18-19)

Paul, Barnabus, and Titus


(17) Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."


Give

2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Communicated


(18) The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us how our end will be."
    Jesus said, "Have you discovered, then, the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning; he will 
know the end and will not experience death."

Our end will be

Discover... the beginning,
Know the end


Not experience death


2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have
in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:


Be circumcised

Spy out... Liberty


Bring us into bondage


(19) Jesus said, "Blessed is he who came into being before he came into being. If you become my disciples and listen to my words, these stones will minister to you. For there are five trees for you in Paradise which remain undisturbed summer and winter and whose leaves do not fall. Whoever becomes acquainted with them will not
experience death."

Experience death

2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.




Gave place by subjection


(20) The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us what the kingdom of heaven is like."
    He said to them, "It is like a mustard seed. It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it falls on tilled soil, it produces a great plant and becomes a shelter for birds of the sky."



A mustard seed

The smallest of all seeds


2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

Me

Me


(21) Mary said to Jesus, "Whom are your disciples like?"
    He said, "They are like children who have settled in a field which is not theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, 'Let us have back our field.' They (will) undress in their presence in order to let them have back their field and to give it back to them. Therefore I say, if the owner of a house knows that the thief is coming, he will begin his vigil before he comes and will not let him dig through into his house of his domain to carry away his goods. You, then, be on your guard against the world. Arm yourselves with great strength lest the robbers find a way to come to you, for the difficulty which you expect will (surely) materialize. Let there be among you a man of understanding. When the grain ripened, he came quickly with his sickle in his hand and reaped it. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."

Like

They are like

Our field, their field

A man of understanding

2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.



As


The same was

Uncircumcision, circumcision

James, Cephas, and John


(22) Jesus saw infants being suckled. He said to his disciples, "These infants being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom."
Jesus said to them, "When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter the kingdom."

These infants

The same

2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.





The poor

The same


(23) Jesus said, "I shall choose you, one out of a thousand, and two out of ten thousand, and they shall stand as a single one."
They said to him, "Shall we then, as children, enter the kingdom?"
   


I shall choose you

2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.




Peter, Paul


(24) His disciples said to him, "Show us the place where you are, since it is necessary for us to seek it."
    He said to them, "Whoever has ears, let him hear. There is light within a man of light, and he lights up the whole world. If he does not shine, he is darkness."

Show us the place

Seek it

2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.




Withdrew

Separated


(25) Jesus said, "Love your brother like your soul, guard him like the pupil of your eye."



Brother


2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Barnabas (Paul's companion)


(26) Jesus said, "You see the mote in your brother's eye, but you do not see the beam in your own eye. When you cast the beam out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to cast the mote from your brother's eye."

See the mote,
See the beam,
See clearly



2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

I saw
 

(27) <Jesus said,> "If you do not fast as regards the world, you will not find the kingdom. If you do not observe the Sabbath as a Sabbath, you will not see the father."





The world

Observe the Sabbath


2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: 

Jews by nature, flesh

Not by the works


(28) Jesus said, "I took my place in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. I found all of them intoxicated; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts and do not have sight; for empty they came into the world, and empty too they seek to leave the world. But for the moment they are intoxicated. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent."

Flesh

Seek

Found

The world


2:16 For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves
also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.


Flesh

Seek

Found

The things which I destroyed


(29) Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, it is a wonder. But if spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth has made its home in this poverty."

Spirit came into... body

2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me:






Christ liveth in me


(30) Jesus said, "Where there are three gods, they are gods. Where there are two or one, I am with him."



I am with him

And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.


I now live in the flesh... by... the Son


(31) Jesus said, "No prophet is accepted in his own village; no physician heals those who know him."

No prophet is accepted


2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Christ is dead


(32) Jesus said, "A city being built on a high mountain and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden."



A city

Nor can it be hidden


3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians

Before whose eyes


(33) Jesus said, "Preach from your housetops that which you will hear in your ear. For no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, nor does he put it in a hidden place, but rather he sets it on a lampstand so that everyone who enters and leaves will see its light."

Hear

Lights a lamp

3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 






Hearing

Received... the Spirit


(34) Jesus said, "If a blind man leads a blind man, they will both fall into a pit."

A blind man leads

A pit


3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now
made perfect by the flesh?

So foolish

The flesh


(35) Jesus said, "It is not possible for anyone to enter the house of a strong man and take it by force unless he binds his hands; then he will (be able to) ransack his house."

Ransack... house

3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.





Suffered

(36) Jesus said, "Do not be concerned from morning until evening and from evening until morning about what you will wear."

What you will wear


3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh
miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

The Spirit
 

(37) His disciples said, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"
    Jesus said, "When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then will you see the son of the living one, and you will not be afraid"


Garments

Not... afraid

3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.


Righteousness

Of faith


(38) Jesus said, "Many times have you desired to hear these words which I am saying to you, and you have no one else to hear them from. There will be days when you will look for me and will not find me."

Words which I am saying

3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.


Preached... the gospel... saying


(39) Jesus said, "The pharisees and the scribes have taken the keys of knowledge (gnosis) and hidden them. They themselves have not entered, nor have they allowed to enter those who wish to. You, however, be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves."

The pharisees and the scribes

They themselves have... entered

3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:




As many as are of the works of the law

They which be of faith


(40) Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted outside of the father, but being unsound, it will be pulled up by its roots and destroyed."

A grapevine

Destroyed

For it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.


Every one

Cursed


(41) Jesus said, "Whoever has something in his hand will receive more, and whoever has nothing will be deprived of even the little he has."

Whoever has... will receive

3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it
is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.


The just shall live


(42) Jesus said, "Become passers-by."

Alternate reading:
"Passing away come into being"

Come into being

3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.




Shall live


(43) His disciples said to him, "Who are you, that you should say these things to us?"

Who are you

3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:

Christ


<Jesus said to them,> "You do not realize who I am from what I say to you, but you have become like the Jews, for they (either) love the tree and hate its fruit (or) love the fruit and
hate the tree."

The tree

The fruit

3:13 For it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:





A tree

Every one


(44) Jesus said, "Whoever blasphemes against the father will be forgiven, and whoever blasphemes against the son will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit will not be forgiven either on earth or in heaven."

The Father

The Son

The Spirit

3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles  through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.




Abraham

Jesus Christ

The Spirit


(45) Jesus said, "Grapes are not harvested from thorns, nor are figs gathered from thistles, for they do not produce fruit. A good man 
brings forth good from his storehouse; an evil man brings forth evil things from his evil storehouse, which is in his heart, and says evil things. For out of the abundance of the heart he brings forth evil things."

A... man brings forth... out of the abundance of the heart


3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.




Speak after the manner of men



(46) Jesus said, "Among those born of women, from Adam until John the Baptist, there is no one so superior to John the Baptist that his eyes should not be lowered (before him). Yet I have said, whichever one of you comes to be a child will be acquainted with the kingdom and will become superior to John."

Born... a child


3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.






Thy seed


(47) Jesus said, "It is impossible for a man to mount
two horses or to stretch two bows. And it is impossible for a servant to serve two masters; otherwise, he will honor the one and treat the other contemptuously. No man drinks old wine and immediately desires to drink new wine. And new wine is not put into old wineskins, lest they burst; nor is old wine put into a new wineskin, lest it spoil it. An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, because a tear would result."

Two horses...
Two bows...  two masters

Old wine... new wine

Old wineskin... new wineskin

3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.



The covenant: (s)


The law... the promise

Abraham... Christ


(48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other in this one house, they will say to the mountain, 'Move Away,' and it will move away."


Two make peace with each other


3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

A mediator


(49) Jesus said, "Blessed are the solitary and elect, for you will find the kingdom. For you are from it, and to it you will return."

The solitary

3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.




One... God is one


(50) Jesus said, "If they say to you, 'Where did you come from?', say to them, 'We came from the light, the place where the light came into being on its own accord and established itself and became manifest through their image.' If they say to you, 'Is it you?', say, 'We are its children, we are the elect of the living father.' If they ask you, 'What is the sign of your father in you?', say to them, 'It is movement and repose.'"

The light... the living father

Movement

Repose



3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.




God... God

Law

Promise


(51) His disciples said to him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?"
    He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it."

The  dead

Look  forward to

Recognize

3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.




Under sin

The promise

Believe


(52) His disciples said to him,
 "Twenty-four prophets spoke in Israel, and all of them spoke in you."
    He said to them, "You have omitted the one living in your presence and have spoken (only) of the dead."

Prophets spoke

Omitted

3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.



 

The law

Revealed


(53) His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision beneficial or not?"
    He said to them, "If it were beneficial, their father would beget them already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become completely profitable."

Is circumcision beneficial

True circumcision in spirit

3:24 Wherefore the law was our  schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster.



The law was our  schoolmaster

Faith


    (54) Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven."

The poor

3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.


The children

(55) Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not hate his brothers and sisters and take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me."

Become a disciple

Take up his cross in my way

3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.






Been baptized

Put on Christ

(56) Jesus said, "Whoever has come to understand the world has found (only) a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world."

The world


Superior to the world


3:28 There is neither 
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Jew nor Greek... bond nor free... male nor female

One in Christ Jesus


(57) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a man who had good seed. His enemy came by night and sowed weeds among the good seed. The man did not allow them to pull up the weeds; he said to them, 'I am afraid that you will go intending to pull up the weeds and pull up the wheat along with them.' For on the day of the harvest the weeds will be plainly visible, and they will be pulled up and burned."

Good seed

The wheat

3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.







Abraham's seed

Heirs


(58) Jesus said, "Blessed is the man who has suffered and found life."


The man

Who has suffered


4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth
nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

The heirs

A servant


(59) Jesus said, "Take heed of the living one while you are alive, lest you die
and seek to see him and be unable to do so."

While you are alive

Die

4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.


Until the time appointed

Under tutors and governors


(60) <They saw> a Samaritan carrying a lamb on his way to Judea. He said to his disciples, "That man is round about the lamb."
    They said to him, "So that he may kill it and eat it."
    He said to them, "While it is alive, he will not eat it, but only when he has killed it and it has become
a corpse."
    They said to him, "He cannot do so otherwise."
    He said to them, "You too, look for a place for yourself within repose, lest you become
a corpse and be eaten."

A corpse

4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,





The elements of the world


(61) Jesus said, "Two will rest on a bed: the one will die, and the other will live."
    Salome said, "Who are you, man, that you ... have come up on my couch and eaten from my table?"
    Jesus said to her, "I am he who exists from the undivided. I was
given some of the things of my father."
    <...> "I am your disciple."
    <...> "Therefore I say, if he is destroyed, he will be filled with light, but if he is divided, he will be filled with darkness."

Given...
of my father

4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.







Receive the adoption of sons


(62) Jesus said, "It is to those who are worthy of my mysteries that I tell my mysteries. Do not let your left (hand) know what your right (hand) is doing."

Those who are worthy


My mysteries


4:
6 And because ye are sons, God  hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.



Ye are sons

The Spirit of his Son into your hearts


(63) Jesus said, "There was a rich man who had much money. He said, 'I shall put my money to use so that I may sow, reap, plant, and fill my storehouse with produce, with the result that I shall lack nothing.' Such were his intentions, but that same night he died. Let him who has ears hear."

A rich man

4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ.







An heir of God



(64) Jesus said, "A man had received visitors. And when he had prepared the dinner, he sent his
servant to invite the guests.
    He went to the first one and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said, 'I have claims against some merchants. They are coming to me this evening. I must go and give them my orders. I ask to be excused from the dinner.'
    He went to another and said to him, 'My master has invited you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a house and am required for the day. I shall not have any spare time.'
    He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'My friend is going to get married, and I am to prepare the banquet. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused from the dinner.'
    He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a farm, and I am on my way to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused.'
    The servant returned and said to his master, 'Those whom you invited to the dinner have asked to be excused.' The master said to his servant, 'Go outside to the streets and bring back those whom you happen to meet, so that they may dine.'
Businessmen and merchants
will not enter the places of my father."

Servants

Businessmen and merchants



4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.









Ye did service

Them which by nature are no gods


(65) Jesus said, "There was a good man who owned a vineyard. He leased it to tenant farmers so that they might work it and he might collect the produce from them. He sent his servant so that the tenants might give him the produce of the vineyard. They seized his servant and beat him, all but killing him. The servant went back and told his master. The master said, 'Perhaps he did not recognize them.' He sent another servant. The tenants beat this one as well. Then the owner sent his son and said, 'Perhaps they will show respect to my son.' Because the tenants knew that it was he who was the heir to the vineyard, they seized him and killed him. Let him who has ears hear."

The servant went back

Recognize... knew

Servant

4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
 





How turn ye again

Known

Bondage


(66) Jesus said, "Show me the stone which the builders have rejected. That one is the cornerstone."



The builders


4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.


Labour in vain


(67) Jesus said, "If one who knows the all still feels a personal deficiency, he is completely deficient."

One who knows the all

A personal deficiency

4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.


Be as I am

Injured me


(68) Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted. Wherever you have been persecuted they will find no place."

Wherever you have been persecuted

4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.



Through infirmity of the flesh



(69) Jesus said, "Blessed are they who have been persecuted within themselves. It is they who have truly come to know the father. Blessed are the hungry, for the belly of him who desires will be filled."

Persecuted within themselves

Come to know the father


4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.




Temptation... in my flesh

Received... Christ Jesus



(70) Jesus said, "That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves. That which you do not have within you will kill you if you do not have it within you."

That which you do not have within you


4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of


(71) Jesus said, "I shall destroy this house, and no one will be able to build it [...]."


I shall destroy this house


4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Am I therefore become your enemy


(72) A man said to him, "Tell my brothers to divide my father's possessions with me."
    He said to him, "O man, who has made me a divider?"
    He turned to his disciples and said to them, "I am not a divider, am I?"

Tell my brothers to divide


4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.




They zealously affect you, but not well


(73) Jesus said, "The harvest is great but the laborers are few. Beseech the Lord, therefore, to send out laborers to the harvest."

The laborers are few

4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

I am present with you


(74) He said, "O Lord,
there are many around the drinking trough, but there is nothing in the cistern."

There are many

Cistern

4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,


My little children

You


(75) Jesus said, "Many are standing at the door, but it is the solitary who will enter the bridal chamber."

Standing

4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to, change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.


Stand


(76) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a merchant who had a consignment of merchandise and who discovered a pearl. That merchant was shrewd. He sold the merchandise and bought the pearl alone for himself. You too, seek his unfailing and enduring treasure where no moth comes near to devour and no worm destroys."

Seek

4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the
law?





Desire
 

(77) Jesus said, "It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

A piece of wood

Split

4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons,







Abraham

Two sons


(78) Jesus said, "Why have you come out into the desert?
To see a reed shaken by the wind? And to see a man clothed in fine garments like your kings and your great men? Upon them are the fine garments, and they are unable to discern the truth."

To see a reed

To see a man

The one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.







The one by a bondmaid

The other by a freewoman


(79) A woman from the crowd said to him, "Blessed are the womb which bore you and the breasts which nourished you."
    He said to her, "Blessed are those who have heard the word of the father and have truly kept it. For there will be days when you will say, 'Blessed are the
womb
which has not conceived and the breasts which have not given milk.'"

Womb

Womb

4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.




bond woman

Freewoman


(80) Jesus said, "He who has recognized the world has found the body, but he who has found the body is superior to the world.

The body... the world


4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants
the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

The two covenants


(81) Jesus said, "Let him who has grown rich be king, and let him who possesses power renounce it."

Him who has grown rich


4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Jerusalem


(82) Jesus said, "He who is near me is near the fire, and he who is far from me is far from the kingdom."

He who is near me

4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.


Jerusalem which is above


(83) Jesus said, "The images are manifest to man, but the light in them remains concealed in the image of the light of the father. He will become manifest, but his image will remain concealed by his light."

The image of the light

His image... his light

4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:




Thou barren that bearest not

Thou that travailest not


(84) Jesus said, "When you see your likeness, you rejoice. But when you see your images which came into being before you, and which neither die not become manifest, how much you will have to bear!"

Your likeness

Your images

For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.


Desolate ... children

Children of promise


(85) Jesus said, "Adam
came into being from a great power and a great wealth, but he did not become worthy of you. For had he been worthy, he would not have experienced death."

Experienced death... not... worthy

Came into being... worthy


4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.



Born after the flesh


Born after the Spirit

(86) Jesus said, "The foxes have their holes and the birds have their nests, but the son of man has no place to lay his head and rest."


No place


4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the  bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

Cast out... shall not be heir

(87) Jesus said, "Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two."

A body


4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.


The bondwoman


(88) Jesus said, "The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. And you too, give them those things which you have, and say to yourselves, 'When will they come and take what is theirs?'"

Give to you

You (already) have

5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.




Liberty

Hath made us free


(89) Jesus said, "Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not realize that he who made the inside is the same one who made the outside?"






Wash the outside

The outside


5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ
shall profit you nothing.
5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Be circumcised

Circumcised

(90) Jesus said, "Come unto me, for my yoke is easy and my lordship is mild, and you will find repose for yourselves."




Yoke is easy

Lordship is mild


5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Worketh by love

Obey the truth


(91) They said to him, "Tell us who you are so that we may believe in you."
    He said to them, "You read the face of the sky and of the earth, but you have not recognized the one who is before you, and you do not know how to read this moment."

Tell us

Earth

5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.





Persuasion

Lump

(92) Jesus said, "Seek and you will find. Yet, what you asked me about in former times and which I did not tell you then, now I do desire to tell, but you do not inquire after it."




Seek... inquire

Tell you

Desire to tell


5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Be none otherwise minded

Troubleth you

Preach


(93) <Jesus said,> "Do not give what is holy to dogs, lest they throw them on the dung-heap. Do not throw the pearls to swine, lest they [...] it [...]."

Dogs


5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.




They...
which trouble you

(94) Jesus said, "He who seeks will find, and he who knocks will be let in."


Seeks

Knocks


5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Called

Serve

(95) Jesus said, "If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give it to one from whom you will not get it back."




One

Give it to one

Do not lend


5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

One

Love your neighbour

Be not consumed

(96) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain woman. She took a little leaven, concealed it in some dough, and made it into large loaves. Let him who has ears hear."




Leaven

Some dough


5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh.
5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye
cannot do the things that ye would.

The Spirit

The flesh


(97) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain woman who was carrying a jar full of meal. While she was walking on the road, still some distance from home, the handle of the jar broke and the meal emptied out behind her on the road. She did not realize it; she had noticed no accident. When she reached her house, she set the jar down and found it empty."

Woman... walking

5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law











Spirit... led
 

(98) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain man who wanted to kill a powerful man. In his own house he drew his sword and stuck it into the wall in order to find out whether his hand could carry through. Then he slew the powerful man."


The powerful man


5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such
like:

The flesh

(99) The disciples said to him, "Your brothers and your mother are standing outside."
    He said to them, "Those here who do the will of my father are my brothers and my mother. It is they who will enter the kingdom of my father."



Kingdom of my father


5:21 Of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Kingdom of God


(100) They showed Jesus a gold coin and said to him, "Caesar's men demand taxes from us."
    He said to them, "Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God, and give me what is mine."

What is mine

5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.





They that are Christ's


(101) <Jesus said,> "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not love his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. For my mother [...], but my true mother gave me life."

Life

Mother

5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.








Live

Spirit


(102) Jesus said, "Woe to the pharisees, for they are like a dog sleeping in the manger of oxen, for neither does he eat nor does he let the oxen eat."

The pharisees

Like a dog

5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.



Desirous of vain glory

Provoking


(103) Jesus said, "Fortunate is the man who knows where the brigands will enter, so that he may get up, muster his domain, and arm himself before they invade."

The brigands will enter

6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,





Be overtaken


(104) They said to Jesus, "Come, let us pray today and let us fast."
    Jesus said, "What is the sin that I have committed, or wherein have I been defeated? But when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber, then let them fast and pray."

What is the sin that I have committed

Fast and pray

Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.




Restore such an one

Bear... burdens


(105) Jesus said, "He who knows the father and the mother will be called the son of a harlot."

Knows

The son

6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.


Think

A man


(106) Jesus said, "When you make the two one, you will become the sons of man, and when you say, 'Mountain, move away,' it will move away."

The sons of man

One

6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have
rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.


Every man

Alone


(107) Jesus said, "The kingdom is like a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. One of them, the largest, went astray. He left the ninety-nine sheep and looked for that one until he found it. When he had gone to such trouble, he said to the sheep, 'I care for you more than the ninety-nine.'"

A shepherd

Gone to such trouble

6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.









Every man

Bear his own burden


(108) Jesus said, "He who will drink from my mouth will become like me. I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him."

Drink from my mouth

The things that are hidden


6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that
teacheth in all good things.




Taught in the word

Good things

(109) Jesus said, "The kingdom is like a man who had a hidden treasure in his field without knowing it. And after he died, he left it to his son. The son did not know (about the treasure). He inherited the field and sold it. And the one who bought it went plowing and found the treasure. He began to lend money at interest to whomever he wished."


The kingdom

A man

Field... field

A hidden treasure... treasure


6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
life everlasting.
6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God

A man

Soweth... reap... soweth... reap

Life everlasting


(110) Jesus said, "Whoever finds the world and becomes rich, let him renounce the world."


The world

The world
 

6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

All men

The household of faith


(111) Jesus said, "The heavens and the earth will be rolled up in your presence. And the one who lives from the living one will not see death." Does not Jesus say, "Whoever finds himself is superior to the world?"

Rolled up (like a scroll)

6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.





A letter


(112) Jesus said, "Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul; woe to
the soul that depends on the flesh."







The flesh... the flesh

The soul... the soul

6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer
persecution for the cross of Christ.
6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in
your flesh.
6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

The flesh... your flesh

The world... the world


(113) His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
    <Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."

The kingdom... the kingdom

Upon the earth


6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.


A new creation

Upon the Israel of God


(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life."
    Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."

I myself shall lead her


6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.




Our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



Home:
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See Also

The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Corinthians
Key Word Connections


Blog: URfriendly Reflections 

The Gospel of Thomas
Translated by Thomas O. Lambdin (In PDF Format)

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