Library

Valentinian Exposition

The Valentinian Exposition is a Valentinian Gnostic text presenting a systematic exposition of Valentinian theology, including the sacraments.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex XI.|||Composed in the 2nd or 3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Valentinian Gnostic in orientation.|||Presents a systematic exposition of Valentinian theology, including the aeons, the Demiurge, and the sacraments. Important for understanding Valentinian theology.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Pagels, E. " The Valentinian Exposition." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.|||Pagels, E. " The Valentinian Exposition." In Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII. Brill, 1990.|||Valentinian Exposition — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/valexposition.html|Full translation with introduction.;; Early Christian Writings — Valentinian Exposition|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/valentinian.html|Indexed text and scholarly resources.|||" The Father is the source of all things, and from him comes the Son, and from the Son comes the Spirit." — Valentinian Exposition (paraphrase)

Collection: Gnostic Literature Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Valentinian Gnostic in orientation.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the 2nd or 3rd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex XI.

Why It Matters for Study

Presents a systematic exposition of Valentinian theology, including the aeons, the Demiurge, and the sacraments. Important for understanding Valentinian theology.

" The Father is the source of all things, and from him comes the Son, and from the Son comes the Spirit." — Valentinian Exposition (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.
Pagels, E. " The Valentinian Exposition." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Pagels, E. " The Valentinian Exposition." In Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII. Brill, 1990.