Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and Theosophy

Pistis Sophia

Name: Pistis Sophia
Author: G.R.S. Mead

G.R.S. Mead1921

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A major Gnostic scripture of the early Christian era, presenting dialogues between the risen Jesus and his disciples — most prominently Mary Magdalene — concerning the cosmic drama of Pistis Sophia, a divine emanation (aeon) who falls from the Pleroma, repents, and is redeemed. G.R.S. Mead's 1921 translation provides the most accessible English version of this complex Coptic manuscript. The text is an indispensable source for understanding Gnostic theology, including its unique cosmology of light-worlds and rulers, the mechanics of spiritual redemption, and the elevated role of the feminine divine.

This edition1921

EditionG.R.S. Mead translation 1921; Coptic manuscript c. 3rd–4th century CE (Bruce Codex and Askew Codex)

Gnosticismmystical gnosis and knowledgeDivine emanationMystical experienceEarly Christianityspiritual purificationMystical gnosisspiritual ascentReligious syncretismGnostic philosophyEsoteric Christianitymystical unionmystery cult practicesEarly Christian Gnosticism

Contents529 chapters

01PREFACE
02The Askew Codex
03The Ministry of the First Mystery
04The post-resurrectional Setting
05The ethical Interest
06The Sophia Episode
07History and psychic Story
08Its general Value
09ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
10Mary Magdalene asketh and receiveth permission to speak
11The Scripts
12The Contents
13The Title
14The Date of the MS
15Translated from the Greek
16Originals composed in Egypt
17Date: The 2nd-century Theory
18The 3rd-century Theory
19The 'Ophitic' Background
20Three vague Pointers
21The libertinist Sects of Epiphanius
22The Severians
23The Bruce Codex
24The Berlin Codex
25The so-called Barbēlō-Gnostics
26The present Position of the Enquiry
27The Sethians
28The new and the old Perspective in Gnostic Studies
29The higher Revelation within this Setting
30The Æon-lore
31The Mysteries
32The astral Lore
33Transcorporation
34The magical Element
35The P.S. a reserved Document
36A Skeleton of the Scheme of the System
37Philip is commended and continueth writing
38The sixth repentance of Sophia
39Andrew interpreteth the sixth repentance from Psalm cxxix
40Jesus commendeth Andrew. He promiseth that the tyrants shall be judged and consumed by the wise fire
41Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
42The repentance of Sophia is not yet accepted. She is mocked by the æons
43The seventh repentance of Sophia
44Thomas interpreteth the seventh repentance from Psalm xxiv
45Jesus commendeth Thomas
46Jesus leadeth Sophia to a less confined region, but without the commandment of the First Mystery
47The eighth repentance of Sophia
48The emanations of Self-willed cease for a time to oppress Sophia
49She continueth her repentance
50The emanations of Self-willed oppress her again
51Matthew interpreteth the eighth repentance from Psalm xxx
52Jesus commendeth Matthew and promiseth his disciples that they shall sit on thrones with him
53Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
54The ninth repentance of Sophia
55James interpreteth the ninth repentance from Psalm xxxiv
56Jesus commendeth James and promiseth the first place unto the disciples
57Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
58The repentance of Sophia is accepted. Jesus is sent to help her
59Peter interpreteth the tenth repentance from Psalm cxix
60The tenth repentance of Sophia
61Jesus commendeth Peter
62The eleventh repentance of Sophia
63Salome interpreteth the eleventh repentance from Psalm li
64Jesus commendeth Salome
65Self-willed aideth his emanations and they again oppress Sophia
66The twelfth repentance of Sophia
67Andrew interpreteth the twelfth repentance from Psalm cviii
68The thirteenth repentance of Sophia
69Jesus sendeth forth a light-power to help Sophia
70Martha interpreteth the thirteenth repentance from Psalm l
71Sophia uttereth a song of praise
72Salome interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
73The power sent by Jesus formeth a light-wreath on Sophia's head
74Mary, his mother, asketh and receiveth permission to speak
75Sophia uttereth another song of praise
76Jesus commendeth his mother
77Mary, his mother, interpreteth the song of Sophia from the xixth Ode of Solomon
78The commandment of the First Mystery is fulfilled for taking Sophia entirely out of the chaos
79The First Mystery and Jesus send forth two light-powers to help Sophia
80Mary Magdalene interpreteth the mystery from Psalm lxxxiv
81Mary, the mother, further interpreteth the scripture
82The story of the phantom spirit
83Of the spiritual and material bodies of Jesus
84The other Mary further interpreteth the same scripture from the baptism of Jesus
85Mary, the mother, again further interpreteth the same scripture from the meeting of herself with Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer
86Of the incarnation of Jesus
87A note by a later hand, copied from another scripture
88John further interpreteth the same scripture
89Of Sabaōth, Barbēlō, Yabraōth and the light-vesture
90Gabriēl and Michaēl are summoned to help Pistis Sophia
91The light-stream restoreth the light-powers to Sophia
92Peter interpreteth the narrative from the Odes of Solomon
93The light-stream, having accomplished its purpose, departeth from Sophia
94He sendeth forth another more violent power like unto a flying arrow
95The emanations of Self-willed cry aloud to him for help
96The demon power of Adamas dasheth Sophia down
97The fashioning of the serpent-, basilisk- and dragon-powers
98Gabriēl and Michaēl and the light-stream again go to her aid
99Sophia again crieth to the Light
100Jesus, the First Mystery looking without, causeth Sophia to triumph
101The transfiguration of Sophia
102James interpreteth the narrative from Psalm xc
103Sophia singeth a song of praise
104Thomas interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
105Sophia singeth another song of praise
106Matthew interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
107Mary is afraid of Peter
108Sophia continueth to sing
109Martha interpreteth from Psalm xxix
110Mary interpreteth the song of Sophia from Psalm xxix
111Sophia continueth her song
112Mary interpreteth from Psalm cii
113Sophia continueth her song
114She continueth to sing
115Sophia is led to a region below the thirteenth æon and given a new mystery
116Andrew interpreteth from Psalm xxxix
117The conversation of Sophia and the Light
118The Light promiseth to seal the regions of Self-willed
119How Sophia will know that the time of her final deliverance hath come
120What will come to pass at that time
121The time for the final deliverance of Sophia is completed
122Adamas sendeth forth two emanations of darkness to plague Sophia
123Sophia again singeth a song to the Light
124James interpreteth the song from Psalm vii
125Sophia addresseth Adamas and his rulers
126Sophia again singeth to the Light
127Jesus bringeth Sophia again to the thirteenth æon
128Martha interpreteth the words of Sophia from Psalm vii
129Sophia singeth the praises of the Light to her fellow-invisibles
130Philip interpreteth the song from Psalm cvi
131Mary questioneth Jesus
132Of the glory of the four-and-twenty invisibles
133Of the glory of the Fate
134Of the glory of the twelve æons
135Of the glory of the Midst
136Of the glory of the Right
137Of the glory of the thirteenth æon
138Of the glory of the Inheritance
139Of the glory of the Treasury
140Mary again questioneth Jesus
141Of the twelve saviours and their regions in the Inheritance
142Of the ascension of those of the Treasury into the Inheritance
143Of the powers of the Right and their emanation and ascension
144Of their respective ranks in the kingdom
145Of the powers of the Midst and their ascension
146But this shall not take place till the consummation of the æon
147Of the ascension of the souls of the perfect
148Of the rank of the souls of the perfect
149Mary interpreteth the discourse from the scriptures
150Of the last Helper
151Mary further questioneth Jesus
152That the regions beyond the Helpers are indescribable
153Mary again questioneth Jesus
154Of the second Helper
155Of the third, fourth and fifth Helpers
156Of those who receive the mystery in the last Helper
157John questioneth Jesus
158Of the first Commandment
159Of the first space
160Of the second space
161Of the third space
162Of the Thrice-spirituals in the third space, i.e. the first space of the Ineffable
163Of the master-mystery
164Of the Limbs of the Ineffable
165Of the dignity of those who have received the mysteries
166The Saviour is their treasury
167Of the proclamation of the disciples
168What men should renounce
169The boundaries of the ways of the worthy
170The mysteries are for the forgiveness of sins
171Unto whom are the mysteries of the Light to be given
172Mary questioneth the Saviour
173Of the soul of the righteous man who hath not received the mysteries at death
174John questioneth Jesus
175John continueth his questioning
176Of the reward of the savers of souls
177The disciples are to forgive many times seven times
178That the mysteries shall be given again unto a repentant brother even up to the three of the second space
179A former saying explained
180The limit of the power of the disciples to forgive sins
181Further of the forgiveness of sins
182John continueth his questioning
183Of the master-mystery of the forgiveness of sins
184John continueth his questioning
185A former saying explained
186Of pretenders who receive the mysteries
187Mary again questioneth Jesus
188How the souls of those who have come out of the body may be helped by those on earth
189How he who possesseth the mysteries can come forth out of the body without suffering
190Mary continueth her questioning
191Mary continueth her questioning
192How the disciples shall make proclamation
193The disciples became frenzied at the sublimity of the prospect
194The mystery of the raising of the dead
195The mystery of the raising of the dead not to be given to any
196What mysteries they shall give
197Of the constitution of man
198Of the counterfeiting spirit
199The state of the sinful soul after death
200How a sinful soul is brought back to birth
201Of the ascension after death of the good soul that hath received the mysteries
202Of the state after death of one who hath received the mysteries and yet hath transgressed
203The apology of the rulers of the Fate
204The apology of the rulers of the ways of the midst
205Of the ascension of that soul into the Inheritance
206Mary interpreteth from former sayings
207The piece of money which was brought unto Jesus
208A saying of Paul
209A former saying concerning rebirth
210The foes of one’s own house
211Mary continueth to question Jesus
212Of the retributive servitors
213How the soul of the sinner is stamped with his sins
214How the baptisms purify sins
215Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
216The separation of the portions by the mystery of baptism
217Mary further questioneth Jesus
218Of the forgiveness of sins according to the higher mysteries
219Mary interpreteth the same from the Psalm xxxi
220Of forgiveness even unto twelve times of those who have received the mysteries of the First Mystery
221Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance
222Of the unending forgiveness of those who have received the mystery of the Ineffable
223Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance
224Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
225Of the unending compassion of the great mysteries for the repentant
226Of the unrepentant
227If even men on earth are compassionate, how much more then the highest mysteries?
228Mary interpreteth from a former saying
229Jesus trieth Peter
230Mary interpreteth the incident from a former saying
231In the case of repentance only higher mysteries than those previously received can remit sins
232Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
233The fate of the gnostic who sinneth is more terrible than that of the ignorant sinner
234There is no limit to the number of mysteries the faithful may receive
235Of those who procrastinate, saying they have many births before them
236Of the time of the completion
237Their entreaties at the gates of the Light
238Those who procrastinate are excluded from the Light
239Mary interpreteth the same
240Of the dragon of the outer darkness
241Of the rulers of the twelve dungeons and their names
242Of the doors of the dungeons
243The angels who watch the doors
244What souls pass into the dragon, and how
245Of the degrees of the fires of the chastisements
246Of the severity of the chastisements of the dragon
247The nature of the names of the dragon
248Mary further questioneth Jesus
249The disciples bewail the fate of sinners
250A summary of the formulæ
251How to save the souls of the sinners
252Of the light-beams and light-streams
253Mary pleadeth for those who have neglected the mysteries
254Of the efficacy of the names of the twelve angels
255The souls who know the names escape and are taken to Yew
256Of their subsequent fate
257Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
258Of the light of the sun and the darkness of the dragon
259Of the counterfeiting spirit
260Of the cup of forgetfulness
261Of the fashioning of a new soul
262Of the inbreathing of the power
263Jesus promiseth to reveal all in detail
264Of the light-power and the counterfeiting spirit
265The parents we are to abandon
266Mary removeth the doubt of Salome
267Salome is in doubt
268Of the charge given to the counterfeiting spirit
269Of the charge given to the servitors
270Of conception
271Of the compulsion of the parents
272Of the incarnation of the soul
273Of the process of gestation
274Of the sealing of the plasm
275Of how a man cometh by his death
276Of the destiny
277Of the keys of the mysteries
278There is no escape from the destiny
279A prophecy of John the Baptizer
280The mysteries are all for men
281The criterion of orthodoxy
282Few only will accomplish the mystery of the First Mystery
283The Books of Yew
284No soul had entered into the Light before the coming of the First Mystery
285Of the patriarchs
286Of the prophets
287Of the souls of the righteous from Adam to Jesus
288The disciples know of a surety that Jesus is the Great Initiator
289The disciples gather round Jesus
290The grouping of the disciples
291The interpretation of iaō
292The invocation of Jesus
293He continueth to make invocation
294The apocalypse of the heavens
295The figures of the disk of the sun and of the moon
296Jesus and the disciples are transported to the ways of the midst
297Of the repentant and unrepentant rulers
298Of the functions of Zeus, the chief regent
299Of the hierarchies of the unrepentant rulers and the names of their five regents
300Of the powers which Yew bound into the five regents
301Mary questioneth Jesus on the ways of the midst
302The incorruptible names of the regents
303Of the mysteries which Jesus will give unto his disciples
304Of Paraplēx
305Of the constitution of the ways of the midst
306Of Yew and Melchisedec
307How the demon rulers carry off souls
308The chastisements of Paraplēx
309Of Ariouth the Æthiopian
310Of triple-faced Hekatē
311Of Parhedrōn Typhōn
312Of Yachthanabas
313Jesus encourageth his disciples
314The disciples beseech Jesus to have mercy upon sinners
315He breatheth into their eyes
316Jesus and his disciples ascend higher
317Jesus explaineth the vision of fire and water, and wine and blood
318Their eyes are opened
319Jesus and his disciples descend to earth
320The same explained from former sayings
321Jesus promiseth to give them the mystery of the forgiveness of sins
322The invocation
323The mystic offering
324Directions as to the future use of the rite
325Of three other mystic rites
326The rite is consummated
327Of the efficacy of that name
328Of the highest mysteries and of the great name
329Of the chastisement of the curser
330Of the chastisement of the slanderer
331Of the chastisement of the murderer
332Peter protesteth against the women
333Mary interpreteth the discourse from the words of Isaiah
334
335Page 2
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338PISTIS SOPHIA
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340PISTIS SOPHIA
341Page 8
342CONTENTS
343PISTIS SOPHIA
344THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA
345Page 12
346THE NOTE OF A SCRIBE
347END OF THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA
348CONTENTS
349DIVISION III.
350A FOURTH BOOK
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352CONTENTS
353PISTIS SOPHIA
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