Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Valentinian Gnostic in orientation.
Date & Provenance
Composed in the 3rd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex I (Jung Codex).
Why It Matters for Study
The longest Valentinian Gnostic text. Presents a comprehensive system of cosmology, Christology, and ecclesiology, divided into three parts. Important for understanding Valentinian theology.
" The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: these three are one, and they are the source of all things." — Tripartite Tractate (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Tripartite Tractate — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Early Christian Writings — Tripartite Tractate 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.
Attridge, H. W., & Pagels, E. " The Tripartite Tractate." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Attridge, H. W. " The Tripartite Tractate." In Nag Hammadi Codex I. Brill, 1985.