1 [I also] asked to [understand it; and he said] to me: “The monad [is a unity with nothing] higher than it. (APJ) 2 [It is that which exists] as [God] and as Father of the All, [the unseen] one, who is higher than [the All, who exists as] indestructability, [as] pure light, at which no [eye] can gaze. (APJ) 3 He [is the] unseen [Spirit] of whom it is improper [to think of] as a god or as anything similar, because he is more than a god, given that nothing exists that is higher than him, because no one «3» rules over him. (APJ) 4 [This is because he does] not [exist] inside something subordinate [to him, given that everything] exists inside him, self-[established]. (APJ) 5 [He is eternal], given that he stands in need of [nothing], because [he] is complete perfection. (APJ) 6 [He lacked nothing] so that he would need to be perfected by [it]. (APJ) 7 [Instead], he is forever completely perfect in [light]. (APJ) 8 He is [limitless], given that no one exists [before him] who could place limits on him. (APJ) 9 He is unfathomable, [given that there] exists before him no one who could [fathom him]. (APJ) 10 [He is] beyond measuring, given that no one [existed before him who could measure] him. (APJ) 11 [He is unseen, given that no] one has seen [him]. (APJ) 12 [He is eternal], given that he [exists] eternally. (APJ)
Apocryphon of John 3:1–12
Semantically similar passages
Apocryphon of John 3:15–17
15 He is [light beyond measure], being pure, sacred, [unstained]. (APJ) 16 He is unspeakable, [existing in perfect] indestructability. (APJ) 17 (He exists) [not] (confined) inside perfection, nor inside blessedness, nor inside divinity, but he is highly exalted (above these). (APJ)
Epistle to Diognetus 8:4–6
4 Nay, all this is the quackery and deceit of the magicians; (DIO) 5 and no man has either seen or recognised Him, but He revealed Himself. (DIO) 6 And He revealed (Himself) by faith, whereby alone it is given to see God. (DIO)
Apocryphon of John 3:19–21
19 He is neither large, [nor] small. (APJ) 20 [It is impossible] to say that he has a quantity or that [he has a quality], because no one can [understand him]. (APJ) 21 He is not a being among [beings, but he is] highly exalted, [not] as [though he were loftier], but (he is lofty i… (APJ)
Apocryphon of John 4:2–4
2 He is the one who places his desire inside his [water]-light, [which dwells in the] spring of the [pure light]-water [that] surrounds him, and [his (potential) thought became] actual, and she approached, [that is], she who had [appeared] in front of him insid… (APJ)
Apocryphon of John 3:24–26
24 This is because he is the one who gazes at himself, waiting, in «4» [his] light, given that the [...] is glorious. (APJ) 25 To him belongs purity beyond measure. (APJ) 26 He is an aeon that bestows aeons. (APJ)
Odes of Solomon 7:12–14
12 Wherefore He pitied me in His abundant grace: and granted me to ask from Him and to receive from His sacrifice: (ODE) 13 Because He it is that is incorrupt, the fulness of the ages and the Father of them. (ODE) 14 He hath given Him to be seen of them that are His, in order that… (ODE)
Gospel of Truth 1:47–49
47 He gave a name to him alone. He alone sees him, he alone having the power to give him a name, because whoever doesn’t exist has no name. For what name will they give one who doesn’t exist? But the one who exists, exists also with his name, and he alone knows… (GTR) 48a … (GTR)
2 Enoch 48:4–6
4 All this he measured, with good measurement of hours, and fixed a measure by his wisdom, of the visible and the invisible. (2EN) 5 From the invisible he made all things visible, himself being invisible. (2EN) 6 Thus I make known to you, my children, and distribute the books to… (2EN)
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