Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Gnostic in orientation.
Date & Provenance
Composed in the 3rd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex IX.
Why It Matters for Study
Presents a polemic against orthodox Christianity, including the bishops and the martyrs. Important for understanding the polemics between Gnostic and orthodox Christians.
" The truth has come into the world, and it is not received by those who are of the world." — Testimony of Truth (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Testimony of Truth — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Early Christian Writings — Testimony of Truth 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.
Pearson, B. A. " The Testimony of Truth." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Pearson, B. A. " The Testimony of Truth." In Nag Hammadi Codices IX and X. Brill, 1981.