Key Word Connections:
The Thomas - Ephesians Connection


 
The Gospel of Thomas Translated by Thomas O. Lambdin
Ephesians

These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.

The living Jesus

Thomas
[1:1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,



Jesus Christ

Paul
 
(1) And he said, "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."

Whoever finds

to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:



The saints
(2) Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."

Troubled... troubled

He will rule
[1:2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.




Peace

The Lord Jesus Christ
(3) Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."

In the sky... in the sea... inside of you
[1:3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:













In heavenly places
 
(4) Jesus said, "The man old in days will not hesitate to ask a small child seven days old about the place of life, and he will live. For many who are first will become last, and they will become one and the same."


The place of life

[1:4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:



 

In him

(5) Jesus said, "Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you . For there is nothing hidden which will not become manifest."


That which is hidden from you
[1:5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,





His will


(6) His disciples questioned him and said to him, "Do you want us to fast? How shall we pray? Shall we give alms? What diet shall we observe?"
Jesus said, "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered."


Hate

Plain in the sight of heaven

[1:6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.











Beloved


Accepted in the beloved


(7) Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man."


The man...the lion consumes
[1:7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;





His blood


(8) And he said, "The man is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of small fish. Among them the wise fisherman found a fine large fish. He threw all the small fish back into the sea and chose the large fish without difficulty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."

Wise

[1:8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;






Wisdom

(9) Jesus said, "Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them. Some fell on the road; the birds came and gathered them up. Others fell on the rock, did not take root in the soil, and did not produce ears. And others fell on thorns; they choked the seed(s) and worms ate them. And others fell on the good soil and it produced good fruit: it bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure."

The sower went out

[1:9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:











Having made known

(10) Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes."

Until it blazes

[1:10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times

In the dispensation of the fulness of times
(11) Jesus said, "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. In the days when you consumed what is dead, you made it what is alive. When you come to dwell in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"

Heaven

In the light

he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:








Heaven

In him

(12) The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?"
Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."


Wherever you are

Heaven and earth


[1:11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:




In whom

All things
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."
Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel."
Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is wholly incapable of saying whom you are like."
Jesus said, "I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring which I have measured out."
And he took him and withdrew and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things which he told me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up."

You are... You are... you are

You have become intoxicated from the bubbling

A fire will come out of the stones and burn you up

[1:12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
[1:13] In whom
ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,












Christ... ye also

Ye heard the word of truth


Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
(14) Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will give rise to sin for yourselves; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your spirits. When you go into any land and walk about in the districts, if they receive you, eat what they will set before you, and heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you, but that which issues from your mouth - it is that which will defile you."

Any land

That which issues from your mouth

[1:14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
[1:15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith




 

Our inheritance

I heard of your faith


 
(15) Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces and worship him. That one is your father."

One who was not born of woman... your father
in the Lord Jesus,






The Lord Jesus


(16) Jesus said, "Men think, perhaps, that it is peace which I have come to cast upon the world. They do not know that it is dissension which I have come to cast upon the earth: fire, sword, and war. For there will be five in a house: three will be against two, and two against three, the father against the son, and the son against the father. And they will stand solitary."

Dissension

and love unto all the saints,
[1:16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;











Love

(17) Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."

I shall give you

[1:17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

God... may give unto you
(18) The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us how our end will be."
Jesus said, "Have you discovered, then, the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning; he will know the end and will not experience death."

Our end... the end... the end
[1:18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,







The hope of his calling
(19) Jesus said, "Blessed is he who came into being before he came into being. If you become my disciples and listen to my words, these stones will minister to you. For there are five trees for you in Paradise which remain undisturbed summer and winter and whose leaves do not fall. Whoever becomes acquainted with them will not experience death."


Not experience death

[1:19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,






According to the working of his mighty power
 
(20) The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us what the kingdom of heaven is like."
He said to them, "It is like a mustard seed. It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it falls on tilled soil, it produces a great plant and becomes a shelter for birds of the sky."

It falls

It produces a great plant

The sky
[1:20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,






Dead

He raised him

The heavenly places

(21) Mary said to Jesus, "Whom are your disciples like?"
He said, "They are like children who have settled in a field which is not theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, 'Let us have back our field.' They (will) undress in their presence in order to let them have back their field and to give it back to them. Therefore I say, if the owner of a house knows that the thief is coming, he will begin his vigil before he comes and will not let him dig through into his house of his domain to carry away his goods. You, then, be on your guard against the world. Arm yourselves with great strength lest the robbers find a way to come to you, for the difficulty which you expect will (surely) materialize. Let there be among you a man of understanding. When the grain ripened, he came quickly with his sickle in his hand and reaped it. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."

The owners of the field


The world

Come
... coming... comes... come... came
[1:21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:













 

Principality... power... might... dominion

This world

Come

(22) Jesus saw infants being suckled. 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 one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a
hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter the kingdom."

The above...
the below

Foot

Eyes... hand... 
foot

The kingdom... the kingdom


You enter the kingdom
[1:22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[1:23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
[2:1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

 



The head...
his feet

Feet

Body

The fulness of him


You hath he quickened
(23) Jesus said, "I shall choose you, one out of a thousand, and two out of ten thousand, and they shall stand as a single one."

Stand
[2:2] Wherein in time past ye walked



Walked
(24) His disciples said to him, "Show us the place where you are, since it is necessary for us to seek it."
He said to them, "Whoever has ears, let him hear. There is light within a man of light, and he lights up the whole world. If he does not shine, he is darkness."


The whole world
 according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,








This world
 
(25) Jesus said, "Love your brother like your soul, guard him like the pupil of your eye."


Your brother

the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:


The children of disobedience
(26) Jesus said, "You see the mote in your brother's eye, but you do not see the beam in your own eye. When you cast the beam out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to cast the mote from your brother's eye."


Eye... eye

Your brother...
your brother
[2:3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.




The mind


The children of wrath

(27) <Jesus said,> "If you do not fast as regards the world, you will not find the kingdom. If you do not observe the Sabbath as a Sabbath, you will not see the father."


The Sabbath (rest, repose)

The father
[2:4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[2:5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)



Quickened (raised, awakened)

God... Christ

(28) Jesus said, "I took my place in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. I found all of them intoxicated; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts and do not have sight; for empty they came into the world, and empty too they seek to leave the world. But for the moment they are intoxicated. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent."

The world... the world... the world
[2:6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:





Heavenly places

(29) Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, it is a wonder. But if spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth has made its home in this poverty."

Great wealth

[2:7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace




Exceeding riches

(30) Jesus said, "Where there are three gods, they are gods. Where there are two or one, I am with him."


I am with him
in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.



Toward us through Christ Jesus
(31) Jesus said, "No prophet is accepted in his own village; no physician heals those who know him."

Accepted


No physician heals
[2:8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:


It is the gift
 
Ye (are) saved (healed)
(32) Jesus said, "A city being built on a high mountain and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden."





Built
[2:9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[2:10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works

works... workmanship... works
(33) Jesus said, "Preach from your housetops that which you will hear in your ear. For no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, nor does he put it in a hidden place, but rather he sets it on a lampstand so that everyone who enters and leaves will see its light."

Everyone who enters

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.







We should walk in

(34) Jesus said, "If a blind man leads a blind man, they will both fall into a pit."



A blind man... a blind man
[2:11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh


The Circumcision

(35) Jesus said, "It is not possible for anyone to enter the house of a strong man and take it by force unless he binds his hands; then he will (be able to) ransack his house."


Hands

The house of a strong man... his house
made by hands;
 [2:12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,


Hand

The commonwealth of Israel

(36) Jesus said, "Do not be concerned from morning until evening and from evening until morning about what you will wear."


Concerned

What you will wear

having no hope, and without God in the world:
[2:13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off




No hope

In Christ Jesus
(37) His disciples said, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"
Jesus said, "When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then will you see the son of the living one, and you will not be afraid"

We see you... then will you see


Place them (your garments) under your feet

One

Without being ashamed... 
and you will not be afraid
are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
 [2:14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the  middle wall









Are made nigh


Broken down the... wall



One

Our peace


(38) Jesus said, "Many times have you desired to hear these words which I am saying to you, 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."

You will look for me and will not find me

of partition between us;


 





Partition between us


(39) Jesus said, "The pharisees and the scribes have taken the keys of knowledge (gnosis) and hidden them. They themselves have not entered, nor have they allowed to enter those who wish to. You, however, be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves."



Taken the keys of knowledge (gnosis) and hidden them

The pharisees and the scribes

entered... allowed to enter
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[2:16] And that he might reconcile both







Abolished in his flesh the enmity... in himself


The law of commandments


Making peace... reconcile
(40) Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted outside of the father, but being unsound, it will be pulled up by its roots and destroyed."

A grapevine

The father

Unsound

Roots

Destroyed

unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:


 

Body

God

Enmity

The cross

Slain

(41) Jesus said, "Whoever has something in his hand will receive more, and whoever has nothing will be deprived of even the little he has."

Whoever has... will receive more
[2:17] And came and preached peace to you




Peace to you

 
(42) Jesus said, "Become passers-by."




Become passers-by

which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[2:18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  

Afar off, and... nigh...
have access
(43) His disciples said to him, "Who are you, that you should say these things to us?"
<Jesus said to them,> "You do not realize who I am from what I say to you, but you have become like the Jews, for they (either) love the tree and hate its fruit (or) love the fruit and hate the tree."

Who are you

Like the Jews


[2:19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;






Ye are no more strangers

Fellowcitizens with the saints... of the household
(44) Jesus said, "Whoever blasphemes against the father will be forgiven, and whoever blasphemes against the son will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit will not be forgiven either on earth or in heaven."

The son

[2:20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;





Jesus Christ

(45) Jesus said, "Grapes are not harvested from thorns, nor are figs gathered from thistles, for they do not produce fruit. A good man brings forth good from his storehouse; an evil man brings forth evil things from his evil storehouse, which is in his heart, and says evil things. For out of the abundance of the heart he brings forth evil things."


Grapes... figs... 
fruit


Storehouse... storehouse
[2:21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[2:22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.







Groweth
 

The building... an holy temple... an habitation
(46) Jesus said, "Among those born of women, from Adam until John the Baptist, there is no one so superior to John the Baptist that his eyes should not be lowered (before him). Yet I have said, whichever one of you comes to be a child will be acquainted with the kingdom and will become superior to John."

John the Baptist... John the Baptist... John

[3:1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,




 



Paul, the prisoner


 
(47) Jesus said, "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 honor the one and treat the other contemptuously. 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. An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, because a tear would result."

New wine...
new wine


Put into a new wineskin

A new garment

A man... man

[3:2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3:3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[3:4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[3:5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The dispensation of... grace... the Spirit


Made known unto me

Christ

Men

(48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other in this one house, they will say to the mountain, 'Move Away,' and it will move away."


Two make peace with each other

This one house

[3:6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:



Fellowheirs


The same body

(49) Jesus said, "Blessed are the solitary and elect, for you will find the kingdom. For you are from it, and to it you will return."

The solitary and elect

[3:7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

A minister

(50) Jesus said, "If they say to you, 'Where did you come from?', say to them, 'We came from the light, the place where the light came into being on its own accord and established itself and became manifest through their image.' If they say to you, 'Is it you?', say, 'We are its children, we are the elect of the living father.' If they ask you, 'What is the sign of your father in you?', say to them, 'It is movement and repose.'"

The elect of the living father
[3:8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;










The least of all saints


(51) His disciples said to him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?"
He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it."

The new world

Look... recognize

Do not recognize
[3:9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:




The world

See

Hath been hid

(52) His disciples said to him, "Twenty-four prophets spoke in Israel, and all of them spoke in you."
He said to them, "You have omitted the one living in your presence and have spoken (only) of the dead."


Twenty-four prophets

In you

The one living in your presence
 
[3:10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,




The principalities and powers

In heavenly places

The manifold wisdom of God

(53) His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision beneficial or not?"
He said to them, "If it were beneficial, their father would beget them already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become completely profitable."


In spirit

[3:11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
[3:12] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.



In Christ Jesus... In whom
(54) Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven."


Yours is the kingdom

[3:13] Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.


Your glory
 
(55) Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not hate his brothers and sisters and take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me."




Father

Mother... brothers and sisters

Be worthy
[3:14] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[3:15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
[3:16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, 

Father

The whole family


According to the riches

(56) Jesus said, "Whoever has come to understand the world has found (only) a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world."




To understand


A corpse... a corpse
 to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
[3:17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
[3:18] May be able to comprehend with all saints 

To comprehend

The inner man... in your hearts
 
(57) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a man who had good seed. His enemy came by night and sowed weeds among the good seed. The man did not allow them to pull up the weeds; he said to them, 'I am afraid that you will go intending to pull up the weeds and pull up the wheat along with them.' For on the day of the harvest the weeds will be plainly visible, and they will be pulled up and burned."

Pull up... pull up... pull up..
pulled up

Be plainly visible
 what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
[3:19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,











Depth, and height


Know... knowledge

(58) Jesus said, "Blessed is the man who has suffered and found life."

Found life

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.


Be filled with... God
(59) Jesus said, "Take heed of the living onewhile you are alive, lest you die and seek to see him and be unable to do so."






The living one... to him

While you are alive

Seek

Unable to do
[3:20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
[3:21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Unto him... unto him... Christ Jesus

Throughout all ages

Ask

Able to do

(60) <They saw> a Samaritan carrying a lamb on his way to Judea. He said to his disciples, "That man is round about the lamb."
They said to him, "So that he may kill it and eat it."
He said to them, "While it is alive, he will not eat it, but only when he has killed it and it has become a corpse."
They said to him, "He cannot do so otherwise."
He said to them, "You too, look for a place for yourself within repose, lest you become a corpse and be eaten."

Carrying a lamb on his way

The lamb
[4:1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[4:2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,







Walk worthy


Lowliness and meekness

(61) Jesus said, "Two will rest on a bed: the one will die, and the other will live."
Salome said, "Who are you, man, that you ... have come up on my couch and eaten from my table?"
Jesus said to her, "I am he who exists from the undivided. I was given some of the things of my father."
<...> "I am your disciple."
<...> "Therefore I say, if he is destroyed, he will be filled with light, but if he is divided, he will be filled with darkness."


Two will rest on a bed

The undivided
forbearing one another in love;
[4:3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.










 

One another in love

The unity

(62) Jesus said, "It is to those who are worthy of my mysteries that I tell my mysteries. Do not let your left (hand) know what your right (hand) is doing."

Your left... your right
[4:4] There is one body, and one Spirit,


 

One body

(63) Jesus said, "There was a rich man who had much money. He said, 'I shall put my money to use so that I may sow, reap, plant, and fill my storehouse with produce, with the result that I shall lack nothing.' Such were his intentions, but that same night he died. Let him who has ears hear."

Money... my money

I shall lack nothing

even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
[4:5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
[4:6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.




Called... your calling

One...one... 
one... one... one
(64) Jesus said, "A man had received visitors. And when he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests.
He went to the first one and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said, 'I have claims against some merchants. They are coming to me this evening. I must go and give them my orders. I ask to be excused from the dinner.'
He went to another and said to him, 'My master has invited you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a house and am required for the day. I shall not have any spare time.'
He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'My friend is going to get married, and I am to prepare the banquet. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused from the dinner.'
He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a farm, and I am on my way to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused.'
The servant returned and said to his master, 'Those whom you invited to the dinner have asked to be excused.' The master said to his servant, 'Go outside to the streets and bring back those whom you happen to meet, so that they may dine.' Businessmen and merchants will not enter the places of my father."

My master... My master... My master... My master... his master...
the master

Give

Businessmen

[4:7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[4:8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.



















Christ




Given... the gift... gave gifts

Men
(65) He said, "There was a good man who owned a vineyard. He leased it to tenant farmers so that they might work it and he might collect the produce from them. He sent his servant so that the tenants might give him the produce of the vineyard. They seized his servant and beat him, all but killing him. The servant went back and told his master. The master said, 'Perhaps he did not recognize them.' He sent another servant. The tenants beat this one as well. Then the owner sent his son and said, 'Perhaps they will show respect to my son.' Because the tenants knew that it was he who was the heir to the vineyard, they seized him and killed him. Let him who has ears hear."

A vineyard...
the vineyard

Killing him... killed him
[4:9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[4:10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)







The earth

He... descended... He... descended
(66) Jesus said, "Show me the stone which the builders have rejected. That one is the cornerstone."





The builders


[4:11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;



Apostles... prophets... evangelists... 
pastors and teachers

(67) Jesus said, "If one who knows the all still feels a personal deficiency, he is completely deficient."


A personal deficiency

[4:12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:


The perfecting of the saints
(68) Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted. Wherever you have been persecuted they will find no place."




When you are hated

Wherever you have been persecuted

[4:13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[4:14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

Till we all come in

Carried about with... doctrine


(69) Jesus said, "Blessed are they who have been persecuted within themselves. It is they who have truly come to know the father. Blessed are the hungry, for the belly of him who desires will be filled."

Truly come to know the father

by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;




Sleight... cunning craftiness... deceive
(70) Jesus said, "That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves. That which you do not have within you will kill you if you do not have it within you."

Bring it (That which you have) forth

[4:15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:




 

Speaking the truth

(71) Jesus said, "I shall destroy this house, and no one will be able to build it [...]."





This house

Build it

[4:16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The whole body... the body

Edifying of itself
(72) A man said to him, "Tell my brothers to divide my father's possessions with me."
He said to him, "O man, who has made me a divider?"
He turned to his disciples and said to them, "I am not a divider, am I?"




My... possessions


A divider


I am not a divider, am I?

[4:17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[4:18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Having the understanding darkened 

Vanity... alienated

The ignorance that is in them

(73) Jesus said, "The harvest is great but the laborers are few. Beseech the Lord, therefore, to send out laborers to the harvest."

The laborers... laborers
[4:19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Work

(74) He said, "O Lord, there are many around the drinking trough, but there is nothing in the cistern."

There is nothing in the cistern

[4:20] But ye have not so learned Christ;
[4:21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as
the truth is in Jesus:

The truth is in Jesus

(75) Jesus said, "Many are standing at the door, but it is the solitary who will enter the bridal chamber."



Many are

The bridal chamber

[4:22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[4:23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The old man...
is

The spirit of your mind
(76) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a merchant who had a consignment of merchandise and who discovered a pearl. That merchant was shrewd. He sold the merchandise and bought the pearl alone for himself. You too, seek his unfailing and enduring treasure where no moth comes near to devour and no worm destroys."

The father

A pearl... the pearl
[4:24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.   
[4:25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:






God


The new man... every man
(77) Jesus said, "It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

I...
am the light which is above them all

The light

for we are members one of another.
[4:26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:





We are members one of another

The sun
(78) Jesus said, "Why have you come out into the desert? To see a reed shaken by the wind? And to see a man clothed in fine garments like your kings and your great men? Upon them are the fine garments, and they are unable to discern the truth."

Your kings and your great men

Upon them are the fine garments

[4:27] Neither give place to the devil.
[4:28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.




The devil... him that stole


Have to give

(79) A woman from the crowd said to him, "Blessed are the womb which bore you and the breasts which nourished you."
He said to her, "Blessed are those who have heard the word of the father and have truly kept it. For there will be days when you will say, 'Blessed are the womb which has not conceived and the breasts which have not given milk.'"

A woman from the crowd said to him


The word of the father

Blessed are the womb... and the breasts
[4:29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
[4:30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,







Corrupt communication


Communication which is...
edifying

The holy Spirit of God


(80) Jesus said, "He who has recognized the world has found the body, but he who has found the body is superior to the world."

The body...
the body

The world... the world
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.




Ye are

The day
(81) Jesus said, "Let him who has grown rich be king, and let him who possesses power renounce it."

Renounce
[4:31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away

Put away
 
(82) Jesus said, "He who is near me is near the fire, and he who is far from me is far from the kingdom."


From me

The kingdom
from you, with all malice:
[4:32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


From you


Christ 
(83) Jesus said, "The images are manifest to man, but the light in them remains concealed in the image of the light of the father. He will become manifest, but his image will remain concealed by his light."

The images... the image... his image
[5:1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
[5:2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.




Children
 
(84) Jesus said, "When you see your likeness, you rejoice. But when you see your images which came into being before you, and which neither die not become manifest, how much you will have to bear!"

Your images... become manifest
[5:3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;





Becometh saints

(85) Jesus said, "Adam came into being from a great power and a great wealth, but he did not become worthy of you. For had he been worthy, he would not have experienced death."





Adam


A great power and a great wealth
[5:4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
[5:5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Person... man

The kingdom of Christ and of God

(86) Jesus said, "The foxes
have their holes and the birds have their nests, but the son of man has no place to lay his head and rest."



The foxes
[5:6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
[5:7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Let no man deceive you

(87) Jesus said, "Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two."



The body...
a body

The soul

These two
[5:8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
[5:9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Are ye

The Spirit

Light... darkness
(88) Jesus said, "The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. And you too, give them those things which you have, and say to yourselves, 'When will they come and take what is theirs?'"

The prophets

[5:10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
[5:11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Proving what is acceptable... reprove
(89) Jesus said, "Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not realize that he who made the inside is the same one who made the outside?"



Why do you wash the outside of the cup?
[5:12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
[5:13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.


Things... done... in secret

 
(90) Jesus said, "Come unto me, for my yoke is easy and my lordship is mild, and you will find repose for yourselves."

Repose

[5:14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
 

Sleepest

(91) They said to him, "Tell us who you are so that we may believe in you."
He said to them, "You read the face of the sky and of the earth, but you have not recognized the one who is before you, and you do not know how to read this moment."

Read the face of the sky

Read this moment

[5:15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
[5:16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.






The days are evil


Redeeming the time
(92) Jesus said, "Seek and you will find. Yet, what you asked me about in former times and which I did not tell you then, now I do desire to tell, but you do not inquire after it."

I do desire to tell, but you do not inquire after it

[5:17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
[5:18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

But understanding what the will of the Lord is

(93) <Jesus said,> "Do not give what is holy to dogs, lest they throw them on the dung-heap. Do not throw the pearls to swine, lest they [...] it [...]."

Do not give what is holy to dogs
[5:19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;


Speaking to yourselves

(94) Jesus said, "He who seeks will find, and he
who knocks will be let in."

He who seeks will find

[5:20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God
 

All things


(95) Jesus said, "If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give it to one from whom you will not get it back."

Money

and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;


T
he name of our Lord Jesus Christ
(96) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain woman. She took a little leaven, concealed it in some dough, and made it into large loaves. Let him who has ears hear."

She took a little leaven
[5:21] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
[5:22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
 

Wives, submit yourselves

(97) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain woman who was carrying a jar full of meal. While she was walking on the road, still some distance from home, the handle of the jar broke and the meal emptied out behind her on the road. She did not realize it; she had noticed no accident. When she reached her house, she set the jar down and found it empty."

The kingdom of the father

A certain woman

Home... her house
[5:23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
[5:24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.





Christ is the head of the church

The wife

The body... the church
(98) Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a certain man who wanted to kill a powerful man. In his own house he drew his sword and stuck it into the wall in order to find out whether his hand could carry through. Then he slew the powerful man."

The kingdom of the father

A certain man

He slew the powerful man
[5:25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;







Christ...
loved the church

Christ


Christ... gave himself
(99) The disciples said to him, "Your brothers and your mother are standing outside."
He said to them, "Those here who do the will of my father are my brothers and my mother. It is they who will enter the kingdom of my father."

Those here who do the will of my father

They... will enter the kingdom of my father
[5:26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
[5:27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.



Sanctify and cleanse... washing

He might present... a glorious church
(100) They showed Jesus a gold coin and said to him, "Caesar's men demand taxes from us."
He said to them, "Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God, and give me what is mine."

Men demand

[5:28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.



 

Men... love
(101) <Jesus said,> "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not love his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. For my mother [...], but my true mother gave me life."



Whoever does not hate his father and his mother

My true mother gave me life

Hate his father and his mother... love his father and his mother
[5:29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
[5:30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
[5:31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

No man... hated his own flesh

Of his flesh, and of his bones


Leave his father and mother

(102) Jesus said, "Woe to the pharisees, for they are like a dog sleeping in the manger of oxen, for neither does he eat nor does he let the oxen eat."


The manger of oxen

Let the oxen eat

[5:32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
[5:33] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The church


Love his wife
(103) Jesus said, "Fortunate is the man who knows where the brigands will enter, so that he may get up, muster his domain, and arm himself before they invade."

Fortunate is the man who knows where the brigands will enter

 
[6:1]  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.






Children, obey your parents in the Lord
(104) They said to Jesus, "Come, let us pray today and let us fast."
Jesus said, "What is the sin that I have committed, or wherein have I been defeated? But when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber, then let them fast and pray."

What is the sin that I have committed



[6:2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
[6:3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.




Honour thy father and mother
 
(105) Jesus said, "He who knows the father and the mother will be called the son of a harlot."


Father

Son of a harlot


[6:4] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Fathers

Children to wrath
(106) Jesus said, "When you make the two one, you will become the sons of man, and when you say, 'Mountain, move away,' it will move away."








Make the two one


One

[6:5] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
[6:6] Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
[6:7] With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Your masters according to the flesh... as unto Christ

Singleness


(107) Jesus said, "The kingdom is like a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. One of them, the largest, went astray. He left the ninety-nine sheep and looked for that one until he found it. When he had gone to such trouble, he said to the sheep, 'I care for you more than the ninety-nine.'"

One...
the largest... that one

The ninety-nine...
the ninety-nine

I care for you more


[6:8] Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  
[6:9] And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
 

Free

Bond


Neither is there respect of persons with him
(108) Jesus said, "He who will drink from my mouth will become like me. I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him."

The things that are hidden will be revealed

[6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.



In the Lord, and in the power

(109) Jesus said, "The kingdom is like a man who had a hidden treasure in his field without knowing it. And after he died, he left it to his son. The son did not know (about the treasure). He inherited the field and sold it. And the one who bought it went plowing and found the treasure. He began to lend money at interest to whomever he wished."

He died

His field... the field
[6:11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[6:12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,







Stand against... the devil

Flesh

(110) Jesus said, "Whoever finds the world and becomes rich, let him renounce the world."






The world... the world
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

This world... the evil day
(111) Jesus said, "The heavens and the earth will be rolled up in your presence. And the one who lives from the living one will not see death." Does not Jesus say, "Whoever finds himself is superior to the world?"





The heavens and the earth

Will not see death

Superior to the world


[6:14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[6:15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[6:16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[6:17] And take the helmet of salvation,

The helmet...
your feet

Quench all the fiery darts of the wicked

Above all

(112) Jesus said, "Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul; woe to the soul that depends on the flesh."

The soul... the soul
 and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[6:18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,


The Spirit... the Spirit
(113) His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
<Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."







When will the kingdom come?


It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is'


Men do not see it




and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [6:19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[6:20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  
[6:21] But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

Watching thereunto

Utterance... 
open my mouth boldly... I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak

Ye... 
may know... Tychicus... shall make known to you all things
(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life."
Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."


Leave us

I myself shall lead her

A living spirit


Male... males... male
[6:22] Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
[6:23] Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[6:24] Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Sent unto you

Grace be with all

The Lord Jesus Christ... our Lord Jesus Christ

The brethren



Home:
The Gospel of Christ


See Also


Blog: URfriendly Reflections 

The Key of Knowledge
And Other Key Word Comparisons
 


The Gospel of Thomas
Translated by Thomas O. Lambdin (In PDF Format)


















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