Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Sethian Gnostic in orientation.
Date & Provenance
Composed in the 2nd or 3rd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex III and IV.
Why It Matters for Study
Presents a complex cosmology centered on the great invisible Spirit, with intricate genealogies of the aeons. Important for understanding Sethian cosmological speculation.
" The holy book of the great invisible Spirit, the Father, the infinite light." — Gospel of the Egyptians (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Gospel of the Egyptians — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Early Christian Writings — Gospel of the Egyptians Indexed text and scholarly resources.
External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.
Further Reading
Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
Böhlig, A., & Wisse, F. " The Gospel of the Egyptians." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Böhlig, A., & Wisse, F. Nag Hammadi Codices III, 2 and IV, 2. Brill, 1975.