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Tripartite Tractate

The Tripartite Tractate is a lengthy Valentinian Gnostic text presenting a comprehensive system of cosmology, Christology, and ecclesiology, divided into three parts.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex I (Jung Codex).|||Composed in the 3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Valentinian Gnostic in orientation.|||The longest Valentinian Gnostic text. Presents a comprehensive system of cosmology, Christology, and ecclesiology, divided into three parts. Important for understanding Valentinian theology.|||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.|||Tripartite Tractate — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/tripartite.html|Full translation with introduction.;; Early Christian Writings — Tripartite Tractate|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/tripartite.html|Indexed text and scholarly resources.|||" The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: these three are one, and they are the source of all things." — Tripartite Tractate (paraphrase)

Collection: Gnostic Literature Canon: varies

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.

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.