The Two Wisdoms: Echamoth and Echmoth

---

**Welcome to Pleroma Pathways apocalyptic and mystic Christianity where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts.**

**The Two Wisdoms: Echamoth and Echmoth**

The Gospel of Philip makes a profound distinction between two types of wisdom: **Echamoth** and **Echmoth**. It states, *"There is Echamoth and there is Echmoth. Echamoth is simply wisdom, but Echmoth is the wisdom of death—that is, the wisdom that knows death, that is called little wisdom."* This teaches us that there is true wisdom and a lesser, corrupted wisdom.

**Echamoth** represents pure divine Wisdom. It is the wisdom that comes from God, the single-minded alignment with the will of the Father. It is *Sophia*, wisdom that leads to life, righteousness, and truth.  

On the other hand, **Echmoth** is the wisdom of death. It is a *little wisdom*, based on human reasoning, double-mindedness, and worldly desires. It intellectualizes but ultimately leads nowhere but to death, because it is severed from the true source, God.

This duality reflects the consistent teaching in Scripture about two types of wisdom: the **wisdom of this world** and the **wisdom of God**.

Paul discusses this contrast in his letters:

- **1 Corinthians 1:21** - *"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."*  

- **1 Corinthians 3:19** - *"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."*

The wisdom of this world—philosophy, intellectual pursuits without spiritual foundation—is ultimately foolishness to God. The rulers of this age possessed *Sophia* in a worldly sense but did not possess **Christ-Sophia**, the higher wisdom revealed through the Messiah.

**Personification of Wisdom**

In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman.  

- *"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom... She is more precious than rubies..."* (Proverbs 3:13–15)  

- *"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars."* (Proverbs 9:1)

However, just because wisdom is described as a woman does not mean it is literally a woman; it is a powerful image illustrating how desirable and life-giving divine wisdom is. Proverbs also contrasts **godly wisdom** with **human wisdom**, depicted as an adulteress luring people into destruction (Proverbs 2:16).

**Human Wisdom in Ecclesiastes**

The Book of Ecclesiastes shows us the emptiness of human wisdom:

- *"I gave my mind to know wisdom and to discern madness and folly; I perceived that this also is a chasing after the wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."* (Ecclesiastes 1:17–18)

Human wisdom, though it can achieve some practical benefits, ultimately leads to sorrow because it cannot bring lasting life or knowledge of God. It remains trapped in mortality—death is its inevitable end.

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians:

- *"Where is the wise? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"* (1 Corinthians 1:20)

**Divine Wisdom and the Feminine Aspect of God**

True wisdom is not only personified—it expresses a hidden aspect of God's own being.  

Jesus said, *"Wisdom is justified of her children."* (Matthew 11:19) Those born of the Spirit (John 3:6) are her offspring.

The Holy Spirit, understood in Hebrew as a feminine noun (**ruach**), can be seen as the *feminine aspect of God*. Thus, **Sophia** is linked to the Spirit—God’s dynamic, nurturing, and empowering force.

The Spirit is not a separate person but the power and presence of God Himself:

- *"You send forth Your Spirit, they are created."* (Psalm 104:30)

- *"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."* (1 Corinthians 12:4)

Sophia, as Divine Wisdom, is the maternal, nurturing counterpart to the masculine Logos. Where the Logos is embodied in Jesus of Nazareth, Sophia expresses herself in the Church, empowering, anointing, and leading God's people (John 3:5–8; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22).

Proverbs 8 beautifully expresses Wisdom’s relationship to God and creation:

- *"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old... When He prepared the heavens, I was there... I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him."* (Proverbs 8:22–30)

Wisdom is not a separate deity but the radiant beauty, truth, and faithful companion of God's creative work.

**Gnostic Insights and the Syzygy**

In Gnostic thought, Sophia is the syzygy (female counterpart) of the Logos. Together they reveal the androgynous fullness of God: Father and Mother united.

Thus, God is androgynous, encompassing both masculine and feminine principles. This is reflected in the Church’s anointing through the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18).

**Summary: Wisdom vs. Wisdom of Death**

Returning to the Gospel of Philip:  

- **Echamoth** is pure, divine wisdom: *single-eyed*, focused on the Father’s will, bringing life and true knowledge.  

- **Echmoth** is worldly, death-centered wisdom: *double-minded*, clinging to the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil," never progressing to the tree of life.

Those trapped in *Echmoth* understand physical death but remain blind to the hope of Resurrection. Their wisdom is rooted in the material world, deceiving them into thinking that earthly existence is all there is.

Those who embrace *Echamoth*, however, seek the wisdom from above and move beyond the "letter" to the Spirit, bearing the fruits of life and entering the fullness of divine union.

Thus, the journey from **Echmoth** to **Echamoth** is the journey from death to life, from worldly wisdom to the eternal Wisdom of God.

---