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.
- Valentinian Exposition — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Early Christian Writings — Valentinian Exposition 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.
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.