Is Gnosticism Post Doctrinal?

Is Gnosticism Post Doctrinal?

Many People seem to think that being a Gnostic is Post Doctrinal claiming "Gnostic Is Not about Doctrines! That’s Orthodox."

Valentinian Cosmology is pretty complicated doctrinal things and some modern Gnostics have a tendency to think that Gnosticism is post doctrinal and that dogma and doctrine are bad things but to the classical Gnostics they were important and and for us as modern Gnostics they're important because cosmology (Cosmogony is the study of the creation of the universe.) determines anthropology (Christian anthropology is the study of the human ("anthropology") as it relates to God) our view of mankind.

From The Nag Hammadi Library we can see disagreements over doctrine. These disputes are about the nature of Jesus, the resurrection,

Melchizedek From The Nag Hammadi Library Translated by Søren Giversen and Birger A. Pearson

Furthermore, they will say of him that he is unbegotten, though he has been begotten, (that) he does not eat, even though he eats, (that) he does not drink, even though he drinks, (that) he is uncircumcised, though he has been circumcised, (that) he is unfleshly, though he has come in the flesh, (that) he did not come to suffering, <though> he came to suffering, (that) he did not rise from the dead, <though> he arose from the dead.

The Gospel of Philip

Naked and Not Naked


Some people are afraid that they may arise from the dead naked, and so they want to arise in flesh. They do not know that it is those who wear the [flesh] who are naked. Those who are [able] to take it off are not naked.

“Flesh [and blood will] not inherit God’s kingdom.” What is this flesh that will not [57] inherit? It is what we are wearing. And what is this flesh that will inherit? It is the flesh and blood of Jesus.

For this reason he said, “One who does not eat my flesh and drink my blood does not have life within.” What does this mean? His flesh is the word and his blood is the holy spirit. Whoever has received these has food, drink, and clothing.

And I also disagree with others who say that the flesh will not arise. Both views are wrong. You say that the flesh will not arise? Then tell me what will arise, so we may salute you. You say it is the spirit in the flesh, and also the light in the flesh? But what is in the flesh is the word, and what you are talking about is nothing other than flesh. It is necessary to arise in this sort of flesh, since everything exists in it.

In this world those who wear clothes are superior to the clothes. In heaven’s kingdom the clothes are superior to those who wear them.

saying 22

Jesus saw some little ones nursing. He said to his disciples, "These little ones who are nursing resemble is those who enter the kingdom." They said to him, "So shall we enter the kingdom by being little ones?" Jesus said to them, "When you (plur.) make the two one and make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside and the above like the below, and that you might make the male and the female be one and the same, so that the male might not be male nor the female be female, when you make eyes in place of an eye and a hand in place of a hand and a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image - then you will enter [the kingdom].

Saying 22 
This Saying is generally seen by scholars as an allusion to baptism and early Christian concern with the need for rebirth in order to enter God's Kingdom.

In this Saying adults are compared to little children who are able to enter the kingdom, and little children are examples of persons who have put on the new man that is put on the Christ-self are able to enter the kingdom. Thus the kingdom is to be received as a little child. We must humble ourselves as little children. This saying does not mean that we enter the kingdom as children but it means to be converted and become as little children a man without humility cannot be saved. We are brought up with pagan beliefs, and naturally catch their views and spirit. It may be a hard lesson, but we must discard these if we are to come into harmony with the mind of Christ. He requires us to humble ourselves as little children. It is the requirement of the Spirit of God. The current pride and arrogance of society have their source in the mere propensities of nature, which, while having a useful place in subjection to wisdom, become as inconvenient and destructive and ugly as the unregulated predatory instincts of the savage. “To be carnally minded is death: to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” The humility of a little child is not inconsistent with the highest wisdom and executive resource. Jesus illustrates the combination in its highest form; and He could exercise reserve, fulminate angry condemnation, and proceed to high-handed extremity, as in the expulsion of the traders from the temple, while filling the place of a servant in meekness and gentleness. He himself sums up the character, in the words: “Be ye wise as serpents, harmless as doves,”.

To become a child is to become like Christ Jesus who in the days of his flesh was child-like. So what does it take to be like Christ ? Humility and servitude and the ability to identify oneself with Jesus through receiving the knowledge of the truth from the word of God both the spirit-word and Christ Jesus our knowledge of him and our faith in him.
To become an infant means to cleave unto God, as though sucking at your mothers breast in such away that you and the divine are one and the same and there is no division between you and the beloved. You are the beloved and the beloved is you.
This is done when you make the two one. The two are the flesh and the divine nature or the Deity, which must be brought into harmony and united. Making the two into one is a common theme in the bible about marriage, here Jesus is taking about the heavenly marriage when the head and the body become one the second Adam and Eve, the Lamb and his wife. Now the marriage does not begin until after the judgment of the house of God. but are relationship with Christ begins when we are baptised into Christ, when we put on Christ this is the beginning of our spiritual relationship with him or a moral marriage that is done by putting on the mind of Christ. But when he returns the true believers will be conformed to the image of Christ that is to be consubstantial with the Lamb and the Deity this is the true marriage the first is only a type of the second. 

“The outside like the inside.” this part of the saying is about washing (Saying 89). We should wash ourselves by the water of the word. First we need to believe the exceeding great and precious promes by the faith of which they can alone become the partakers of the divine nature. Without faith in these things there is no true washing no purification, from moral defilement. The washing of water by the word is to be born of the water a moral resurrection from the dead by washing the inside and the outside thus making them both clean. 
Circumcision was an outward symbol, but the external and the outward rite of the law, is not in itself of value. It is the inward disposition that matters. Here the Lord Jesus is telling the outward Jews to become inwardly ones, a real Jew for true circumcision is of the heart, in the cutting away of the sins of the flesh. Thus after cutting away the passions of the flesh from our consciousness we will also see a change in our life and actions. For The outer actions must be shaped upon the pattern of the inner man, so that the outer actions and the inner man are integrated and harmonious, completely reflecting each other. Your thoughts, feelings and emotions, words and deeds must follow the way of the inner self or Christ-self, so that, indeed you are the Holy One. This is the meaning of righteousness being rightly ordered according to the image of the Lord or the Christ-self. 

When you make the above like the below. Here this should ready when you make the below like the above. Perhaps a mistake was made in copying of the text, nevertheless, there is a profound truth in these words, for when Jesus comes again and raise the true believers from the dead they with Jesus will bring heaven upon the earth, thus making the above like the below. Thus, the multitudinous Son of Man or the Man of the One will join the upper thing with the low things; the earth will be glorified, receiving heavenly glory. What was above will be below as Jesus says your Kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, when Jesus first came he give teaching from above if he had not come the lower things could not have been joined with the upper. Jesus comes the second time to give Abraham the truth, which Yahweh had previously told him that through your seed all the earth and those living on it in the last things of the years of completion shall be blessed. And this is what Jesus means when he says your Kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven thus making the things below into the things above. Also the one sat on the throne in the book of rev is both Yahweh and the lord Jesus Christ, Yahweh is sat on the throne in heaven above and the lord Jesus is sat on the throne of Yahweh below on earth and Yahweh being manifested in Jesus Christ and the holy ones he is ruling in both the heavens and the earth thus making the below like the above when the kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.

“When you make the male and the female one and the same.” In Christ Jesus, you are neither male nor female but a new man, which is androgynous for all true believers are being transformed into the divine mind and nature being sons of the living Father. 
Male and female means to develop the desire to receive for the sake of imparting, so that one is perfectly transparent to the spirit-word. Receiving so that you might impart is a complete self-transcendence. Female means receptivity and receiving and male means sharing, imparting or giving. Alternatively, Man is for strength, judgment, and achievement. Woman is for grace, sympathy, and ministration. Between them, they form a beautiful unit -- "heirs together of the grace of life" Obviously, the two are interdependent and interconnected to the extent that one cannot exist without the other, like the body and the soul. In fact, the male and female represent two distinct operations of the same capacity like the body and the soul. 

But in Christ Jesus you are neither male nor female so that the male be not male nor the female, female, being shaped into the image of the Lord above (1Cor 15:47-49) an image that contains within itself all opposites in perfect union including the male and female. Not only do you become like the Holy One, but also the Holy One comes to manifest as you. In this instant, you become the flow of divine grace the divine presence and power living and moving in the world

Therefore, Christ came to correct the separation that was from the beginning. There was both unity and equality in Eden before sin made its ugly appearance. The man and the woman were as one rejoicing together before God, which was brought to an end by the seductive suggestion of the serpent, and its terrible fruit of sin. The unity in Eden was broken, and because the woman was first in the transgression, she was brought into subjection to her husband (1Tim 2:12-14). After God told the serpent, He would provide a Redeemer who would bruise its head and release man from its power (sin). sentence was than pronounced upon the woman: Gen 3:16 And to the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pains and thy groanings; in pain thou shall bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Your desire... to Your husband: Woman's desire to man, Christ: Song 2:16; 6:3. Man's pre-eminence over his wife: Eph 5:22-24. "Desire" is "teshuwqah", found in the OT only here and in Gen 3:16; 4:7; Song 7:10. Eve’s desire was for what she had lost, but hoped to regain it through him. This expresses a desire to return, a desire for oneness, a desire that the individual will (even HIS will!) should be subordinated to the needs of the unit which is the couple: "And the two will become one flesh" (Eph 5:31; cp Jn 17:21; Act 4:32; 27:23; 1Co 6:19,20). Instead "teshuwqah" some read "teshuwbah" return. Thus the Concordant translation renders: “By your husband is your restoration and he shall rule over you”. the LXX and the Syriac also render it as “return.” all these meanings are most significant. Eve was reminded that her restoration, return, was subject to her husband, and that he must exercise the rule over her. Eve, however, was typical of the bride of Christ, and these words spoken to her have an added significance when related to the bride. The restoration of the bride is subject to her husband (Christ), and he must bear rule over her, if she would attain unto it. 
What is the restoration? 

That unity for which Christ prayed the Father when he declared: John: 17:20,21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

This expresses the complete union of marriage; that oneness that shall only be experienced when the marriage of the lamb hath come. For the moment, the bride is espoused as a “chaste virgin” to Christ, and in this relationship, there is partial restoration. Thus, Paul wrote: Galatians: 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. Paul taught that in Christ there is a restoration of oneness. We experience that initially at baptism, for no matter of which sex we might be, we are than made personally responsible to Christ. But the “oneness” there indicated, is but a token of the complete restoration in the future, when Christ’s prayer will be fulfilled, and when, taking her to himself in the bridal chamber, he will acknowledge that they are “one flesh” (Eph 5:31). Meanwhile, the second Eve remains in subjection to her husband (1Tim 2:11-12 Eph 5:22 Col 3:18) 

To make your “eyes in place of an eye and a hand in place of a hand and a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image” Thomas demands obscurely that people should not have the eyes, hand, foot that they have but those things in some other from and this refers to the putting off the old man. Therefore, this refers to the entire man having new eyes in place of the old, ears replacing ears hands for hands feet to feet all who have put off the old and earthly man and from whom Jesus has removed the clothing of the kingdom of men have put on the new and heavenly man, Jesus Christ. so that once again the eyes are joined to new eyes, ears to ears, hand to hand, to be completely pure and being the heavenly image both moral and corporeally.

“Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” This is connected with the exhortation to “Despise not one of these little ones,” and must therefore refer to matters of attitude or relation to them. What can it mean but that we must be ready to part with anything rather than remain in a position that involves hostility to the undoubted friends of Christ? Jesus even gives it an application to brethren in the wrong. We are not to give them up without effort at reclamation in the particular way prescribed.

The “cut it off” in Mark means to “fashion eyes in the place of an eye” for no one would really cut off their hand or foot Mark and Thomas are taking about the same thing the thinking of the flesh our sinful desires.

Eye in place of the eye indicates the enlightened view of a high level of awareness associated with the centre in the head and is associated with a conscious union with God through Christ and by putting on the Christ-consciousness. A hand in place of a hand indicates action found upon this enlightened view. A foot in place of a foot indicates directing one’s whole life according to the will of God. An image in place of an image is to development of the body or body of light (body of the resurrection) that is both moral and corporeal. Morally when you let the word of the kingdom enter into you when you live according to the spirit of truth and so embody the holy kingdom. As Jesus says in Saying 3, the kingdom is within you.

22) ##Jesus saw infants [the Elect] being suckled [by their true spiritual mother]. He said to His disciples, "These infants being suckled are like those who enter the Kingdom." They said to Him, "Shall we then, as children, enter the Kingdom?" Jesus said to them, "When you make the two [the higher/inward (spiritual) substance and the lower/outward (fleshly) form)] one, and when you make the inside [where the Kingdom of God actually is] like the outside [where they allege it to be - you make it this way by your fruit] and the outside like the inside [replacing their image with the Fathers which is spread out over the earth - see v-113], and the above [heavenly] like the below [earthly], and when you make the male [spirit] and the female [soul] one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female [you become One in spirit]; and ##when you fashion eyes [two levels of seeing] in the place of an eye [one level], and a [right] hand [which knows what Jesus is doing (in His Power)] in place of a [left] hand [which doesn't (in your own power], and a [right] foot [which walks in the Way, the Truth and the Life] in place of a [left] foot [which doesn't], and a likeness [image of God] in place of a likeness [image of man]; then will you enter [the Kingdom]."

Non-Mythological Gnosis

non-mythological gnosis

seeking salvation through gnosis (‘hidden wisdom’),

Originally gnosis had no mythological associations and was simply “knowledge of the

divine mysteries reserved for an elite

first Jewish Gnosis had no mythologies to it, it saw the Law and the Deity as part of its orthodox beliefs

Book of Proverbs 25:2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Psalm 19:2 One day after another day causes speech to bubble forth,
And one night after another night shows forth knowledge

isa  11:2 the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah; 3 and there will be enjoyment by him in the fear of Jehovah.

9 They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea

12 For wisdom is for a protection [the same as] money is for a protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners

(Proverbs 3:18) She (Wisdom) is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy

There are many says in the New Testament which attest to the gnostic view:

Seek and you will find,” “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you,” “My kingdom is not of this world,” “The flesh profiteth nothing”…)

They are all about seeking and finding hidden gnosis. They are also seen in the parables of the hidden treasure, the found pearl, and the captured fish of great price (Mt 13:44-50).

Such sayings also have nothing to do with the later mythology of Gnosticism. They
are all about seeking and finding hidden gnosis

(Ephesians 4:13) until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ;


(Philippians 1:9) And this is what I continue praying, that YOUR love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment;

Peter exhorts us to "grow in knowledge" (2 Pet. 1:5-6), and the word is "gnosis". He assures us that if we follow his advice we will be "neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 8).  But in this statement the word is "epignosis", and
similar comparisons will be found elsewhere. The question is; What is the significance of these two words? And if we have "gnosis" (knowledge), when can we claim to have "epignosis" (deeper knowledge)?

Both words are derived from the verb "ginosko" which signifies the act of taking in knowledge, in such a way as to establish a relationship between the one knowing and the object known. For example:

John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ

In such a context, the verb implies the one knowing, and not merely an academic knowledge.

When the preposition "epi" is added to the noun or verb, transforming it into "epignosis" or "epignosko", it suggests a fuller knowledge or recognition of the object known. Hence the question posed us: When does one reach "gnosis" to move on to "epignosis"?

Salvation by Knowledge
their taking in knowledge of you John 17:3

Saying 54

Saying 54 

The way to deeper knowledge of God is through the lonely valleys of soul poverty and abnegation of all things. The blessed ones who possess the Kingdom are they who have repudiated every external thing and have rooted from their hearts all sense of possessing. They are 'poor in spirit.' They have reached an inward state paralleling the outward circumstances of the common beggar in the streets of Jerusalem; that is what the word 'poor' as Christ used it actually means. These blessed poor are no longer slaves to the tyranny of things. They have broken the yoke of the oppressor; and this they have done not by fighting but by surrendering. 

Though free from all sense of possessing, they yet possess all things. 'Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Let me exhort you to take this seriously. It is not to be understood as mere Bible teaching to be stored away in the mind along with an inert mass of other doctrines. It is a marker on the road to greener pastures, a path chiselled against the steep sides of the mount of God. We dare not try to bypass it if we would follow on in this holy pursuit. We must ascend a step at a time. If we refuse one step we bring our progress to an end.

54)## Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor [in spirit - "The sacrifices to Elohim are a broken spirit; A broken and crushed heart, O Elohim, You shall not despise."], for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven [when one loses all hope in themselves and the "humanity" they have known, one becomes as a child crying out for its mother - it is her groaning and praying on our behalf that gets the Fathers attention to our plight and hunger which is why tribulation is necessary - in this condition our Father will hear our prayers and if persistent enough (as the woman and the troubled judge) and call us to Christ]." 

Circumcision Gospel of Thomas Saying 53

Saying 53
like the books in the NT, Thomas rejects circumcision, What counts is true, spiritual circumcision (cf., Philippians 3:3)." spiritual circumcision was the important thing was emphasized even in Old Testament times (cf. Deuteronomy 10.16; Jeremiah 4.4; Ezek 44:9); in Colossians 2:11, where the true circumcision is linked with the stripping off of the body of flesh. A circumcision 'spiritual and not literal' is mentioned in Romans 2:29, and the question here assigned to the disciples is asked by Paul himself in Romans 3:1 - but with a very different answer. Other passages to which reference may be made include Romans 2:25, 1 Corinthians 7:19, and Galatians 6:15.

Paul says, "that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." It is circumcision of the heart, of which circumcision of the flesh is but the sign of the circumcised heart of Abraham, that confers a title to the land and all its attributes. Before Israel can inherit the land for ever, and so be no more expelled by " the Horns of the Gentiles," they must "circumcise the foreskin of their hearts, and be no more stiff-necked"; and "love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, that they may live. (Deut. 10:16; 30:6) This may seem to some to put their restoration a long way off. And so it does, if the circumcision of their hearts is to be effected by the instrumentality of the Society for the Conversion of the Jews. By the well-meant endeavours of this body, it never can be accomplished; for the Society and its agents are themselves deficient in this particular.

53) His disciples said to Him, "Is circumcision [works of the flesh - self-sacrifice] beneficial or not?" He said to them, "If it were beneficial, their [earthly] father would beget them already circumcised from their [earthly] mother. Rather, the true circumcision [of the heart] in spirit has become [over time] completely profitable [circumcision of the flesh (an act of faith not of the child but of the parents) was an allegorical reference pointing towards the circumcision of the heart and as with all allegories and parables in the bible - these visible, lower/outward (carnal) manifestations have a deeper invisible, higher/inward (spiritual) manifestation in those who receive it and benefit from it]."

Gospel of Thomas Saying 51

Saying 51
Here when you die to your sins and you find yourself in rest from your old life as you beginning your new life. So here Jesus is speaking about the spiritual dead and not those in the grave and these living dead only enter into rest and the age of grace when they die to their sins and the world and are reborn by the water the spirit-word then they shall be alive. First you must realize that you are a slave to sin and recognize what freedom is, in order to seek and find it. The path to true enlightenment and liberation is through the true knowledge of God and Christ Jesus.

We are dead to our sins by being baptized into Christ’s death and have put on Christ that is the Christ-consciousness which is the moral or spiritual resurrection Rom 6:2-11 Col 2:20. thus the Moral Regeneration, which must precede in probation, the corporeal in the resurrection state. unless we experience the spiritual resurrection in this life, we will not experience the resurrection of the body on the last day of this age. Or Dead to the law Rom 7:4 Gal 2:19. In the moral process "the New Man" is "begotten," or conceived, when the sinner perceives "the truth as it is in Jesus;" and he is "quickened" unto a new and independent life, when the truth works in him to will and to do the good pleasure of Deity. If he stop short of the quickening in moral or incorporeal gestation, he is a mere abortion; but, if in the moral, the process is matured in a "faith that works by love and purifies the heart," the immersed believer is addressed in these words, to whit: "And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins… together with Christ." (EPH 2:1 EPH 2:5) It will be perceived by the thoughtful, that there is necessarily a marked interval between the moral conception and the quickening of the dead in sin. An unquickened intelligent sinner is a theorist - a speculator in divine thoughts, which have no moral influence over him; while a quickened sinner has become circumcised of heart and ears, "the workmanship of Deity," "created by knowledge after His own image. (EPH 2:10 COL 3:10).

4. A Gentile does not die, for he has never lived in order that he may die. He who has believed in the truth has found life, and this one is in danger of dying, for he is alive. 5. The system is contrived, the cities are constructed, the dead are carried out. (Gen 12:1-3, Isa 40:17, Mt 24:9, Rev/Ap 18, Lk 9:60,
Resurrection before one dies

Gospel of Philip 56:15-20; 56:27-57:12; 66:1623; 73:1-8; 74:13-16; 74:18-21.

See also Psa 141:7; Prov 3:35; 13:9; John 14:19; Rom 6:3-6; 8:4,11,17,18; 1 Cor 15:31; 2 Cor 1:5,9; 2:15-16 4:10,11; 5:15; 13:4; Col 1:24; 2:12,13,20; 3:1-4,10; Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:17; Eph 2:1-6; 4:10, 2 Tim 2:11; 1 Pet 3:12; 4:13;


The rest is the power of Christ 2Cor 12:9 Mt 11:28-30. Jesus’ teaching is easy and not a burden like the law. Cp. Saying 90

The new world is the age of grace from the time that Jesus preached the good news for the first time until the kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven is the new world but when the kingdom comes then there will be a new heaven and a new earth which is another new world a new age than comes the end of that world and then after the 1000 years the ages of the ages beginnings which has no end. Ro 6:2 Ro 6:7 Ro 6:11 Ro 6:13 Ro 8:10 1Jo 5:16 Ro 7:5 Eph 2:1 Eph 2:5 Col 2:13 1Pe 2:24 Eph 2:6 Col 3:1 ¶ 1Ti 5:6 1Jo 3:14 ¶ Re 3:1 ¶

51) His disciples said to Him, "When will the repose of the dead [the reposing saints who physically died before Christ ascended] come about, and when will the new earth come?" He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come [the dead were raised up after Jesus visited them in "the heart of the earth" (those who could receive Him)  (Mat 27:52-54) since the "new earth" is only found within us - "the Kingdom comes without observation"], but you do not recognize it [the Keys of Knowledge were hidden from them by those who crept in and subverted the truth so they would not recognize what is in front of them]." 

Gospel of Thomas Saying 48

48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with one another within a single house they will say to a mountain 'go elsewhere' and it will go elsewhere."

Saying 48
The house is your body and the two that have to make peace are your passions and your reason your heart and mind. As long as you are in two minds or double-minded (see the above saying) and the heart is veiled to the truth there can be no peace between the mind and heart.
Faith is essential. By faith, you are empowered to walk the path in holiness and faith bring forth knowledge and growe in faith and knowledge until you are established in the perfect faith of Christ Jesus. Faith is not idle, but labours always for Yahweh and Christ Jesus.

48)## Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other [if one is able to see that the Old and New Testaments are in perfect harmony from a spiritual sense] in this one house [of God], they will say to the mountain [state/religious establishment],##'Move Away,' and it will move away."

Gospel of Thomas Saying 47

(47) Jesus said, "A person cannot (at the same time) mount two horses or draw two bows. And a slave cannot serve two masters, but truly will honor the one and scoff at the other. No person drinks vintage wine and immediately desires to drink new wine. And new wine is not put into old wineskins lest they burst. And vintage wine is not put into new wineskins lest it go bad. And old patches are not sewed to new garments, for a rip will develop."

Saying 47
"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 honour the one and treat the other contemptuously.“ Here Jesus is speaking about serving the law of Moses and the law of faith to mount an horses or to stretch a bow implies action the action of obeying the law of Moses and the law of faith you can not do both “otherwise he will honour the one and treat the other contemptuously.“
The Lord Jesus is speaking also about serving God or our desires the Two Masters. The impossibility of living for God and for yourself is stated here in terms of masters and slaves. No one can serve two masters. One will inevitably take precedence in his loyalty and obedience. So it is with God and mammon. They present rival claims and a choice must be made. Either we must put God first and reject the rule of materialism or we must live for temporal things and refuse God's claim on our lives.
"We claim, and often tell God in prayer, that it is our 'sole desire to serve Him in immortal strength throughout eternity.' Some say 'humble desire' -- though we always wonder at the depth, or even the understanding, of 'humility' of those who tell God they are humble (doubtless we do it ourselves too, as in many other things we wonder about in others). But about this claim to desire to serve God totally and forever, We can show right now whether this is sincerity or just fancy words. If we really do desire to 'serve God throughout eternity,' we shall be serving Him now with all our present mortal strength and life, and mind and goods, or else all our fine words are froth. We shall recognize that we have no time to spare -- yea, we shall have no desire -- for anything else except providing the bare necessities of life so that we may wholly serve Him. Does our way of life confirm or belie our so noble protestations? Do we think God is deceived by mere words?

By serving Jesus, One cannot be a true and faithful lover of the beloved unless there is only the beloved in one’s life.

“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.“
if new wine was put into old wineskins. The pressure caused by the fermentation of the new wine would burst the old skins because they had lost their elasticity. The life and liberty of the Gospel ruins the wineskins of ritualism. and new wine is also a symbol of restored Israel to the land of Canaan under the seed of Jacob, and of Judah the inheritor of the mountains of Yahweh; and his elect shall inherit it (the land of Canaan), and my servants shall dwell there. (Isa. 65:8,9)
“An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, because a tear would result." here Thomas changes the thought from that of the new patch and the old garment presumably because he is thinking of life in the new world (Saying 51)."
To try to mix law and grace would be like putting an a old patch, shrunk cloth to patch a new garment. When washed, the patch would shrink, ripping itself away from the old cloth.
The new way of life (which Christ brings) cannot be pached with an old and useless cloth. The new "garment" must be used in its entirety. The old patch/garment saying 37 (fig-leaf covering) must be put aside completely in favour of the new garment (skins, required bloodshed). "Put off old man; put on new man" (Eph 4:23,24; cp Exo 28r; Isa 61:1,3,10). The new life in Christ does not need a "patch" of the old; it is a new "whole". Cp Jos 9:4,13; Psa 119:83. A cloth not properly prepared for a garment: Lk 5:36n. only a new garment will suffice for a new life: Lk 15:22. Thus A true Gnostic will not allow his new doctrine (the law of faith) to be encumbered with relics from the past."
A Judaistic Christianity which, with a profession of Grace and the Gospel, attempts to keep the law and fosters legal righteousness is a greater abomination in the eyes of God than professing Israel in the past, worshipping idols. Thus does the King warn His disciples against the admixture of the old ... and the new. ... And yet this is what has been done throughout Christendom. (Sabbath laws, Leant, Christmas, Esther, idols of the saints) Judaism has been patched up and adapted everywhere among the churches and the old garment is labelled "Christianity." The result is a confusing mixture, which is neither Judaism nor Christianity, but a ritualistic substitution of dead works for a trust in the living God. The new wine of free salvation has been poured into the old wineskins of legalism, and with what result? Why, the skins are burst and ruined and the wine is spilled and most of the precious life-giving draught is lost. The law has lost its terror, because it is mixed with grace, and grace has lost its beauty and character as grace, for it is mixed with law-works.

47)### Jesus said, "It is impossible for a man to mount two horses [continue in two (diametrically opposed) covenants] or to stretch two bows [fight for and against each side of an argument]. And it is impossible for a servant [of Christ (the Elect)] to serve two masters [God and Satan (god of mammon)]; otherwise he will honor the one and treat the other contemptuously [this cannot be avoided]. No man drinks old wine [religious (Babylonian) dogma] and immediately desires to drink new wine [it is difficult to get anyone to leave behind the things of which they are accustomed to and start in a whole new direction (Way) - those who have built their foundation upon the sand (old wine) are perfectly happy until a great storm comes along and tears it down - the truth will do just that to any who receive it]. And new wine [true spiritual meaning of the Word which puts an end to the dogma] is not put into old wineskins [those who are hard hearted and set like stone in their old ways, ordinances and traditions], lest they burst [these having no place for enlightenments will even lose what they had (old wine) if they do not repent and turn back to the Father after taking in the new wine]; nor is old wine [religion] put into a new wineskin [the babes in Christ who have been called out from the world], lest it spoil it [this kind of activity is commonplace in worldly churches (religions) who bind their adherents by traditions, customs and ordinances which effectively keeps them from any further seeking of the truth]. An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment [a spiritual man cannot solve his problems by going back to the rudiments of the world or by works of the law], because a tear would result [his faith would begin to have holes in it]."

Gospel of Thomas Saying 46

 Jesus said, "From Adam unto John the Baptist there has been none among the offspring of women who has been more exalted than John the Baptist, so that such a person's eyes might be broken. But I have said that whoever among you (plur.) becomes a little one will become acquainted with the kingdom, and will become more exalted than John."

Saying 46
"From Adam to John the Baptist, among those who have been born of women, there is none greater than John the Baptist!

Here Jesus is not speaking very highly of Adam or John but or of any one who is born from below. Adam was born through the spirit of the Deity and mother earth thus he is born from below or born of a woman (mother earth).

But for fear that the eyes <of such a one> should be lost I have said: He who among you becomes a little one will become acquainted with the Kingdom and will become higher than John!"

Here Jesus is not saying that we have to reclaim what Adam lost who was a type of him who was to come just as we in the image of Adam are a type as well for “Our flesh is not true flesh, but only an image of the true” Gospel of Philip Nag Hammadi Scriptures p. 174. 

For our image and flesh to become the antitype we have to put on Christ and become the twin brothers of Christ the second Adam and being flesh of his flesh the true believers are his wife the second eve

Here Jesus is saying that any one who is born from above and become the new man will know the kingdom, and will become more exalted than John. Only when we become a child do we know the kingdom. But here Jesus is not speaking about everyone but the chosen few “for whoever from among you will become a child,” April D. DeConick translation this man will know the kingdom for many are called but few chosen

46)## Jesus said, "Among those born of women [after the flesh], from Adam [who was born of the women when he fell to her temptation] until John the Baptist ["Elijah" who prophesied the consummation of the Old Covenant and the commencement of the New Covenant], there is no one so superior to John the Baptist that his eyes  should not be lowered (before him) [for he was a true prophet of God]. Yet I have said whichever one of you comes to be a child [one of the Elect] will be acquainted with the Kingdom [which is in you] and will become superior to John [being born of spirit]."

Grapes are not harvested from thorn-bushes Gospel of Thomas Saying 45

Saying 45 (45) JJesus said: Grapes are not harvested from thorn-bushes, nor are figs gathered from hawthorns, [f]or they yield no fruit. [A go]od man brings forth good from his treasure; a bad man brings forth evil things from his evil treasure, which is in his heart, and he says evil things, for out of the abundance of his heart he brings froth evil things.


The truth can not be harvested from the can not be harvested from the Pharisees because they have evil in their heats.
Here again, we read a passage consistent with New Testament teachings. Jesus often compared humans to trees- good and bad ones producing good and bad fruit. We know that in this world, we say there are good people and bad people, but the root of the problem is found in the heart (spirit) of a person. If our heart has stored up “wickedness” then it will likely expressed this in word and deed.
Now if your heart is good and true, your words and actions will accord with one another and be good and true but if your heart is false and bad your words and actions will bear the taint of the evil inclination. This is where we should know ourselves to know your enemy that is know yourself only when you know yourself will you know your enemy you have to observe your thoughts emotions, and feelings, where your mind and heart naturally tend to wonder. When you loo and see, listen and hear your thoughts and emotions, do they reflect the inward man the Christ-Consciousness or the thinking of the flesh. In this way, you will discover what is in your storehouse which is your heart and take an inventory of the stocle that fills it whether foods good for the soul or poisons that bring the soul (a person) to sorrow, suffering, and death. Only with self-control can you direct thought and emotion as you wish. You can master your mind and heart through consistent self-discipline and in doing so you will have put on the Christ-Consciousness
As we have seen, James defines sin as the outcome of a man's own lust. Hence, the action of lust in the mind is the action of the New Testament Satan, or Adversary. All sin proceeds from the desires of the flesh. This is declared in various forms of speech in the Scriptures, and agrees with the experience of every man.
Out of the heart: The heart, centre of thoughts, not emotions. One heart for all men. All human nature is in same category. Evil thoughts: Everything that follows ARE "evil thoughts" in the first place -- that is the point! Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies . . . (Matt. 15 :19).
The carnal mind is enmity against God: it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be (Rom. 8:7). Now the works of flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like (Gal. 5:19, 21).
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life . . . is of the world (1 John 2 :16).



45)## Jesus said, "Grapes [the fruit (hidden spiritual Word in the NT scriptures)] are not harvested from thorns [worldly Christo-pagan organizations and their adherents who have not the life in them], nor are figs [fruit of the Old Testament] gathered from thistles [worldly Jewish organizations...as above], for they do not produce fruit [any true spiritual food]. A good man [Jesus] brings forth good from his storehouse [those who have Christ in them sitting upon HIs throne in their hearts]; an evil man [the man of lawlessness] brings forth evil things from his evil storehouse [those who have the devil in them sitting upon the throne in their hearts], which is in his heart [so all of this is about our own individual spiritual condition whether we wish to believe it or not], and says evil things [to bind people to a religion]. For out of the abundance of the heart he brings forth evil things [that confuse and bewilder people so they can never know the mysteries of the Kingdom]."

Gospel of Thomas Saying 44

Saying 44
Here Jesus must have just performed a miracle casting out a demon. (Saying 35) Now the Pharisees must have blasphemed the miracle(s) that he had dome by the power of the Holy Spirit in him. He had spoken to them about the Father and they said they did not know the Father. They said he was mad but they blasphemed by saying it was by Satan or Beelzbul. what they should have done is what the crowed did and prased God.
The phrase 'neither on earth nor in heaven', is used here as eschatological (as in the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:10). cf. Matthew 12.32: 'neither in this age nor in the age to come'. Thomas has changed 'Son of Man' to 'Son' (retained in Saying 86), The sequence Father-Son-Holy Spirit reflects Christian teaching (cf., Matthew 28:19)." which are a single name of the Eternal spirit self styled Yahweh.

44)### Jesus said, "Whoever blasphemes [speaks out - i.e. teaches false doctrine (this in a word is "religion")] against the Father [the Old Testament scriptures (the Jewish System of worship did this)] will be forgiven [these may repent, turn around and be healed to this day], and whoever blasphemes [ditto] against the Son [the New Testament scriptures (the "Christian" system of worship does this still)] will be forgiven [ditto], but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit [the spirit of truth that has guided one into all Truth (having been given the Keys of Knowledge) - if one has received the spiritual meanings of the scriptures it should move that one to repent, turn around, and be healed and find life; "For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spiritt, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and falling aside, to be renewing them again unto repentance while crucifying for themselves the Son of God again and holding Him up to infamy. For land [the heart] which is drinking the shower coming often on it [spiritual understandings of the Word], and bringing forth herbage [healing words] fit for those because of whom it is being farmed [the Elect] also, is partaking of blessing from God; yet, bringing forth thorns and star thistles [falsified teachings for worldly gain as the ministers of the world do], it is disqualified and near a curse, whose consummation is into burning."] will not be forgiven [if they do not repent in the burning, they will be condemned by it] either on earth [worldly arguments will be compelling] or in heaven [heavenly arguments will be compelling]." 

Rather, you have come to be like Pharisees Gospel of Thomas Saying 43

Saying 43 (43) His disciples said to him, "Who are you, since you say these things to us?" <Jesus said to them>, "Do you (plur.) not understand who I am from the things I am saying to you? Rather, you have come to be like Jews. For they love the tree, and hate its fruit. And they love the fruit, and hate the tree.

Here the Jews are the Pharisees the leaders of the Jews who love the tree but hate its fruit that is love spiritual teaching but hate spiritual practices. What Jesus is saying here is that we must not become double-minded or two faced about our faith It takes its point of departure from John 8:25, where the Jews ask Jesus who he is; they know neither him nor his Father (John 8:19). Thomas has transferred the question to the disciples so that Jesus can say that they are 'like the Jews.' The Jews do not understand that the nature of the tree is identical with that of the fruit (Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-44). And in both Matthew and Luke the discussion of trees and fruits is followed by a rebuke to those who call Jesus 'Lord' but do not obey him.

"With an image corresponding to saying 45.1, in v. 3 Jesus compares the disciples with Jews who want to separate tree and fruit or fruit and tree. However, for the disciples it is a matter of knowing Jesus exclusively from his words (v. 2) as they are to be found in the Gospel of Thomas."

43) #His disciples said to him, "Who are You, that You should say these things to us [the Christo-pagans]?" <Jesus said to them,> "You do not realize who I am [the same Word who  brought forth the declarations of the Old Testament and the Prophets] from what I say to you [His teachings reflected the true meanings of the scriptures which they could not grasp yet were designed to open up the minds of those whose hearts (soil) were able receive His Word (seed) that they might leave off from "the letter which kills" (religion)], but you [disciples above] have become like the Jews [hard hearted and steadfast in keeping with the outward forms of worship (customs, traditions, ordinances) in the image of man], ##for they (either) love the tree [the Old Testament (covenant)] and hate its fruit [the hidden manna (the Word in its higher/inward (spiritual) sense) which all pointed to Jesus coming and the new Covenant in His blood] or love the fruit [Jesus and His teachings] and hate the tree [the OT Scriptures (the Law)]." 

Gospel of Thomas Saying 42

42 Jesus says: "You must be <as> passers-by!"

Here Jesus is telling us to come into being, as we pass by, (see interlinear) all other teachings accept those of Jesus’ and commit himself to him alone. Jesus is instructing us to pass by the teachings of the Pharisees and others teachers.
Also Here Jesus is telling us to come into being, as we pass by, [the thinking of the flesh] see interlinear. Now the coming into being is when we are born again that is to say put on the new man and pass by the old man the thinking of the flesh, which is hostile to God. come into being by water and by the spirit in our days this is done by the spirit-word and baptism but in the apostles days they were baptised with holy spirit and in the age to come they and others will be baptised

42) Jesus said, "Become passers-by [in the world - "do not turn to your right hand nor your left; remove thy foot from evil"]." 

Gospel of Thomas Saying 41

Saying 41 (41) Jesus said, "The person who possesses will be given more. And the person who does not have will be deprived of even the little that that person has."


When he had uttered this parable of the sower and the seed, “The disciples came and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” The answer seemed abrupt and unsympathetic—“Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Why not? “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath” (Matt. 13:11, 12). A certain class would turn the logic of these sayings just the other way. They would say if a man have not, it is a reason why something should be given to him, and not taken away; and if a man have, it is superfluous to give him “more abundance.” There is a certain common-sense smartness, no doubt, about this kind of criticism, but it has no application to the subject in hand. It might apply to food or clothes or money; but it does not apply to those spiritually-enlightened moral and intellectual attainments which commend a man to God. If a man lack these, there is nothing to work on to lift him higher. But if he have them, the tendency is for him to increase in attainment and in acceptability with God and man. When, in addition to this, we take into account the judicial element underlying the case, any remaining mist entirely disappears.
“To him that hath shall be given” (Luke 19:26), “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it” (Matt. 19:12), “Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep” (John 10:26), “No man can come unto me except the Father who hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44).

41) Jesus said, "Whoever has something in his hand [a little power to grasp the concept of the spirit of of the Law and the Prophets] will receive more [faith and thereby more keys, revelations, truths, power etc..], and whoever has nothing [no spiritual insight - this one is in poverty] will be deprived of even the little he has [what's left of his faith, power etc.. will dry up]."

grapevine has been planted outside the father Gospel of Thomas Saying 40

Saying 40 (40) Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted outside the father. And because it is not sound, it will be plucked out by the root and will perish."

The enemy in saying 57 planted the grapevine but Nothing can exist outside of the Father. The enemy, the devil, consisting of the authorities of the nation, who everywhere stealthily neutralised the teaching of Christ, disseminating evil doctrines, and scattering wide their sympathisers and disciples, who drew away the people, and multiplied their own number greatly by the energy of their operations and the popularity of their influence.

The father planted the Lord Jesus as the true vine. “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” Here we have men in Christ the Father’s tillage: but the tillage is with an object—not the mere benefit of the branches (as the popular idea of salvation supposes), but the gratification and profit of the Father vine-dresser. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away”—a fruitless branch, a useless thing.

Here the Lord is speaking of religious institutions of his own day, although we certainly have our own version in modern times. Anytime religion and state are combined, the result is an oppressive environment that places a stranglehold upon the activity of the spirit of truth. In this Saying Jesus is speaking about what happen in 70 CE when the old covenant was up rooted and the rebellious Jews who rebelled against the new covenant and their King. And it is also still to come to the priest and clergymen of the dogmatic Christian churches who have rebelled against true worship and true believers and in time past they have even kill true believers

But what orthodox churches of Christianity called the truth was planted outside of the father’s wises in the days of the apostles and Paul also tells us that wolfs will come in and destroy the truth and this evenly gave birth to the man of lawlessness when Constine removed that which was holding it back.. This grapevine cannot bear fruit (everlasting life) and those in it are already dead not knowing the knowledge of the truth that brings everlasting life.

40)# Jesus said, "A grapevine [religion] has been planted outside of the Father, but being unsound [in health being rooted in the depraved imaginations of men], it will be pulled up by its roots [that it has no chance to come back] and destroyed [by Jesus the true vine (Jn. 15:1)]." 

Pharisees and the Scribes Gospel of Thomas Saying 39

Saying 39 Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the Scribes have taken the keys to acquaintance and hidden them. They have neither entered nor let those who want to enter enter. You (plur.), then, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

The Pharisees here are a symbol of all false religion and undoubtedly today the Lord would speak this way of the priests and clergy of orthodox Christianity The keys of knowledge are the one true faith and hope of Abraham the promises made to him so we must have the faith of Abraham for those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham Gal 3:9 who is the father of us all saying 105 cp. Rom 4:11,12,16. Now his faith and ours is this that the gentiles shall be blessed in him and this promises was made to him before the law and his seed who is the Christ

39) Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scribes [who are still operating today through the Triple Crown Power controlled by the Vatican] have taken the keys of Knowledge [the higher/inward (spiritual) meaning of the scriptures] and hidden them [behind the fleshly locks of earthly types and images]. They themselves have not entered [in their depraved condition and deceptive practices they have shut themselves out of the Kingdom], nor have they allowed to enter those who wish to [these have become "wolves in sheep's clothing" who subvert the knowledge of truth that they may continue to "lord it over you" for the glory of men]. #You, however, be as wise as serpents [the Pharisees and scribes (Mat 23:33, 12:34 etc.. we must be aware that the devil will use many deceptions and tricks through your own flesh and the people around you to find ways "to accuse you day and night before the Father"] and as innocent as doves [we are to take great care not to harm anyone, even "those who hate you and despitefully use you" for they are all your brothers and some are there for the sole purpose of the Elect (doves/peacemakers) that they may be tested and refined in the Way]." 

hear these words Gospel of Thomas saying 38

(38) Jesus said: Many times have you desired to hear these words which I speak to you, and you have no other from whom to hear them. Days will come when you will seek me (and) you will not find me.

(38) [Jesus] said, "[Many times have you desired to hear these words of mine], 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]."

The prophets, the fathers, and all the sages and righteous ones of Israel longed in their inmost being to hear the teaching of the Messiah. The Lord Jesus embodied the holy sayings of Yahweh and he taught his disciples opening their eyes to the meaning of the law and prophets. While the Lord is speaking of his disciples here and his relationship with them, he is also speaking to all true believers of all ages. We must have exclusive commitment to Jesus because he alone can reveal God’s words to the attentive follower though the bible that is the spirit word of God
In the days, we live in now we may seek Jesus but we cannot find him because he is in heaven right now and we can only find him in the spirit-word. And when it is written on the heart and having the mind of Christ the Christ-consciousness than you can find him in your hearts but when he comes again then we will see him for we shall be as he is now.

38) Jesus said, "Many times have you desired to hear these words [the spiritual meaning of the parables] which I am saying to you ["Unto to you it has been given to know the mystery of the Kingdom"], and you have no one else to hear them from [Only He can open up the hidden meaning in the scriptures for you]. There will be days [2 days (two thousand years-Messianic age)] when you look for Me [the spirit of the Word] and will not find Me [indeed the Word has been suppressed and people have been in a deep dark sleep for a long time]." 

strip naked Gospel of Thomas Saying 37

 His disciples said, "When will you be shown forth to us and when shall we behold you?" Jesus said, "When you strip naked without being ashamed, and take your garments and put them under your feet like little children and tread upon them, then [you] will see the child of the living. And you will not be afraid.

Here in saying reflects early Christian baptismal practice at the ceremony of baptism a believer goes in to the water naked and when someone is baptised they are baptised into Christ into his death and just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life, knowing that our old man was crucified with him that the body of sin might be done away with. so The undressing mentioned here relates to When we put off the old man we put on the new man which is Christ or the Christ-self.

The Striping naked refers to the "the filthy garments" that is clothed with "the flesh of sin," in which, Paul tells us "dwells no good thing." both morally and corporeal the moral garment we have to take off for ourselves but The corporeal garment is a gift from God. therefore to Strip naked refers to putting off the old man and putting on the new man which is the mind of Christ

ashamed= in Genises 2:25 Because the man and the woman knew only good, they were not ashamed even though they were both naked. They were comfortable in their physical bodies, in their sexuality, in their relationship, and in their work-with no wrongdoing. The wording of vv. 24, 25 suggests the couple experienced sexual relations in the garden as a part of their God-intended experience. At 4:1 we first read of procreation, not necessarily the couple's first sexual experience together.

The motif of nakedness is introduced here and plays an important role in the next chapter. In the Bible nakedness conveys different things. In this context it signifies either innocence or integrity, depending on how those terms are defined. There is no fear of exploitation, no sense of vulnerability. But after the entrance of sin into the race, nakedness takes on a negative sense. It is then usually connected with the sense of vulnerability, shame, exploitation, and exposure (such as the idea of “uncovering nakedness” either in sexual exploitation or in captivity in war).

In chapter 3:1 The Hebrew word עָרוּם (’arum) basically means “clever.” This idea then polarizes into the nuances “cunning” (in a negative sense, see Job 5:12; 15:5), and “prudent” in a positive sense (Prov 12:16, 23; 13:16; 14:8, 15, 18; 22:3; 27:12). This same polarization of meaning can be detected in related words derived from the same root (see Exod 21:14; Josh 9:4; 1 Sam 23:22; Job 5:13; Ps 83:3). The negative nuance obviously applies in Gen 3, where the snake attempts to talk the woman into disobeying God by using half-truths and lies. There is a wordplay in Hebrew between the words “naked” (עֲרוּמִּים, ’arummim) in 2:25 and “shrewd” (עָרוּם, ’arum) in 3:1. The point seems to be that the integrity of the man and the woman is the focus of the serpent’s craftiness. At the beginning they are naked and he is shrewd; afterward, they will be covered and he will be cursed.

the attempt of the man and the woman to cover their nakedness with leaves expressed their sense of alienation from each other and from God. By giving them more substantial coverings, God indicates this alienation is greater than they realize. This divine action is also ominous; God is preparing them for the more hostile environment in which they will soon be living (v. 23). At the same time, there is a positive side to the story in that God makes provision for the man’s and woman’s condition and salvation.

Clothing= Garment stands for the actions of the old man or old self anger, wrath, malice,

Little children

Trample on them

Then you will come the son of the living one and you will not be afraid

Le 13:47 Le 13:49 Le 13:51 Le 13:52 Le 13:53 Le 13:56 Le 13:57 Le 13:58 Le 13:59 Le 14:55 Job 13:28 Job 30:18Ps 109:18Ps 73:6 Ps 102:26 Pr 25:20Isa 51:6 Isa 51:8 Ps 109:19 Pr 20:16 Jude 1:23




37)# His disciples said, "When will You [the living Word] become revealed to us [when will we know the Keys of Knowledge of the higher/inward (spiritual) meanings] and when shall we see You [as you are]?" Jesus said, "When you disrobe [remove the bonds (raiment) of whatever religion has you spellbound] without being ashamed [anyone who has found Truth and acted upon it can attest to this for these are persecuted and attacked by the devil through friends, family and co-workers in order to convince you that by leaving their religion you will surely burn in hell] and take up your garments [all of your past denominational/stately religious teachings] and place them under your feet "[the world becomes a footstool at your feet"] like little children [the Elect] and tread on them [subdue their power and influence over you], then [will you see] the Son of the Living One [within yourself and without (in others) for you "shall become as He is"], and you will not be afraid [fear is the fruit of ignorance, once you have the Way, the Truth and the Life none of their intimidation, condemnation or threats will scare you into submission to their will anymore]"