Gospel of Thomas Saying 29
BLATZ
(29) Jesus said: If the flesh came into existence because of the spirit, it is a marvel. But if the spirit (came into existence) because of the body, it is a marvel of marvels. But as for me, I wonder at this, how this great wealth made its home in this poverty.
LAYTON
(29) Jesus said, “It is amazing if it was for the spirit that flesh came into existence. And it is amazing indeed if spirit (came into existence) for the sake of the body. But as for me, I am amazed at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty.”
DORESSE
34 [29]. Jesus says: “If the flesh was produced for the sake of the spirit, it is a miracle. But if the spirit <was produced> for the sake of the body, it is a miracle of a miracle.” But for myself (?), I marvel at that because the [ . . . of] this (?) great wealth has dwelt in this poverty.”
Scholarly Quotes |
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Gerd Ludemann writes: “‘Flesh’ is a link by key word to 28.1. The whole is a praise of the spirit which has taken up its abode in human bodies or in the flesh. For ’spirit’ as an element of light in human beings cf. 24.3.” (Jesus After 2000 Years, p. 605) F. F. Bruce writes: “Flesh and spirit are antithetical: spirit does not need flesh as its vehicle, and it is unthinkable that spirit exists to aid flesh. In the conditions of earthly life, spirit is the ‘great wealth’ that resides in the ‘poverty’ of a mortal body (cf. Sayings 85, 87, 112).” (Jesus and Christian Origens Outside the New Testament, p. 126) Helmut Koester writes: “Jesus even marvels over how it is that something so glorious as the spirit has become mired in the flesh” (Ancient Christian Gospels, p. 126). Funk and Hoover write: “This group of sayings has a strongly ascetic tone. The depreciation of the body is a frequent theme in Thomas (note especially sayings 87 and 112, but also see the remarks on Thom 28:1-4). Such ideas are not confined to Thomas, but appear elsewhere in early Christian literature (John 3:6; Gal 5:16-18; Rom 8:3-11). However, the profile of Jesus as one who willingly associates with oqtsiders and the unclean and is remembered as a drunkard and a glutton (Matt 11:19//Luke 7:34) does not square with these remarks that belittle the body and recommend asceticism.” (The Five Gospels, p. 489) Marvin Meyer writes: “This saying expresses surprise at the close relationship between the spirit, the immortal dimension of human beings, and the flesh or body. Inasmuch as the saying intimates that the spirit within may actually exist for the benefit and salvation of the body, it resembles saying 7.” (The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus, p. 82) |
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