Apocalypse of Paul (NHC)

The Apocalypse of Paul , in short: ApcPl, is a Gnostic writing that deals in the form of a vision of the rapture and heavenly journey of the apostle Paul . It is part of the Nag Hammadi writings (NHC V, 2) and will not have been written until the middle of the 2nd century at the earliest.

content

The vision might have been spun out of Paul's note in 2 Cor 12 : 2-4  EU . The ascent of Paul through different spheres of heaven is described in the company of Yaldabaoth (described as an 'old man on a throne'), who tries to prevent further ascent. To Yaldabaoth to defeat a soul that the required knowledge (gnosis) is not here, is in the vision returned to be reborn to become.

reception

Epiphanius of Salamis says of this writing that it comes from the Cainites , who viewed Cain as the Messiah . Because in their opinion the God of the Old Testament, called Jaldabaoth, is the evil Demiurge .

literature

• Hans-Martin Schenke , Hans-Gebhard Bethge , Ursula Ulrike Kaiser : Nag Hammadi German: Vol.NHC V, 2-XIII, 1 , BG 1 and 4, Walter de Gruyter , Berlin 2001.
• Jan N. Bremmer , Istvan Czachesz (Ed.): The Visio Pauli and the Gnostic Apocalypse of Paul (Studies in Early Christian Apocrypha 9), Uitgeverij Peeters: Leuven 2007, ISBN 978-90-429-1851-1 (English)

Web links

German text , translated by Gerd Albrecht