Sunday, October 2, 2022

“Spirit” being “matter” in The Gospel of Philip (3rd century)

  

Some are afraid lest they rise naked. Because of this they wish to rise in the flesh, and [they] do not know that it is those who wear the[flesh] who are naked. [It is] those who [. . .] to unclothe themselves who are not naked. “ Flesh [and blood shall] not inherit the kingdom [of God]” (1 Co 15:50). What is this which will not inherit? This which is on us. But what is this, too, which will inherit? It is that which belongs to Jesus and his blood. Because of this he said, “ He who shall not eat my flesh and drink my blood has not life in him” (Jn 6:53). What is it? His flesh is the word, and his blood is the holy spirit. He who has received these has food and he has drink and clothing. I find fault with the others who say that it will not rise. Then both of them are at fault. You (sg.) say that the flesh will not rise. But tell me what will rise, that we may honor you (sg.). You (sg.) say the spirit in the flesh, and it is also this light in the flesh. (But) this too is a matter which is in the flesh, for whatever you (sg.) shall, say, you (sg.) say nothing outside the flesh. It is necessary to rise in this flesh, since everything exists in it. In this world those who put on garments are better than the garments. In the kingdom of heaven the garments are better than those who have put them on. (Wesley W. Isenberg, “The Gospel of Philip (II,3),” 56-57, in The Nag Hammadi Library in English, ed. James M. Robinson [San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1990], 14