In The Secret Book of John
The Secret Book of John calls Sophia the Wisdom belonging to Insight and describes her as a being. She conceives a notion within herself, together with the reflection of the Invisible Spirit and Foreknowledge. When she looks at the result of her longing, it takes a serpent's form with a lion's face and flashing eyes. The text also calls Sophia a sister who descends in innocence to restore what she lacks.
In The Nature of the Rulers
In The Nature of the Rulers, Sophia is also named Pistis and desires to produce a work without her consort. She introduces light into matter, follows it into chaos, and then rises back to her light. The text names Zoe as her daughter and describes Sophia placing Zoe in a position to give instruction.
In On the Origin of the World
In On the Origin of the World, Sophia appears as a likeness that flows out of Pistis. The text describes Sophia acting as a veil that separates humanity from the realities above. Pistis Sophia wills that something without spirit should take a god's likeness and rule matter, and a ruler appears. After Yaldabaoth gains mastery over matter, the text describes Pistis Sophia returning to her light.
Where Sophia appears
- The Secret Book of JohnThe Secret Book of John presents Sophia as the Wisdom belonging to Insight, conceiving a notion within herself. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- The Nature of the RulersThe Nature of the Rulers describes Sophia introducing light into matter and following it into chaos. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- On the Origin of the WorldOn the Origin of the World describes Sophia as a veil separating humanity from the realities above. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- The Holy Book of the Great Invisible SpiritThe Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit describes the appearance of a cloud called Sophia of matter. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- Eugnostos the BlessedEugnostos the Blessed describes the Savior and his consort Pistis Sophia disclosing six spiritual beings. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- The Wisdom of Jesus ChristThe Wisdom of Jesus Christ describes the eternal realms reaching completion in the majesty of the Immortal Human and Sophia. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
- The First Revelation of JamesThe First Revelation of James describes Sophia as enduring forever and as the one through whom salvation will come. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
What the texts say, in their own words
“Now Sophia, the Wisdom belonging to Insight and herself a being, conceived a notion from within herself, together with the reflection of the Invisible Spirit and Foreknowledge.”
“At once Sophia stretched out her finger and introduced light into matter, and she pursued it down into the region of chaos. Then, when she had risen back up to her light, darkness fell over matter once more.”
“Once the realm of the deathless ones had been completed out of the boundless, a likeness of that sort, named Sophia, flowed out of Pistis.”
“Together with his consort Pistis Sophia, the Savior disclosed six spiritual beings, male and female alike, patterned after those who preceded them.”
Questions
Who is Sophia in the Gnostic texts?
In The Secret Book of John, Sophia is a being called the Wisdom belonging to Insight. Eugnostos the Blessed also names Sophia as the Savior's consort, calling her Pistis Sophia.
What does Sophia do in The Nature of the Rulers?
Sophia brings light into matter, follows it into chaos, and returns to her light. She also places her daughter Zoe beside a figure whom Zoe is to instruct.
Does Sophia have a daughter in these texts?
The Nature of the Rulers names Zoe as the daughter of Pistis Sophia. It also describes Sophia bringing Zoe to give instruction about the things in the heaven above.
Where is Sophia mentioned in the lost texts?
Sophia appears in The Secret Book of John, The Nature of the Rulers, On the Origin of the World, The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit, Eugnostos the Blessed, The Wisdom of Jesus Christ and The First Revelation of James, in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.
