The Gospel of the Truth (Coptic: ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲏⲉ, romanized: p-euaggelion n-tmēe[1]) is one of the Gnostic texts from the New Testament apocrypha found in the Nag Hammadi codices ("NHC").
[3] But the followers of Valentinus, putting away all fear, bring forward their own compositions and boast that they have more Gospels than really exist.
The text is written with strong poetic skill (notable even in translation), and includes a heavily cyclical presentation of themes.
It then describes Jesus as having been sent down by God to remove ignorance from humans and the aeons, to perfect them and restore union with the Father and correct the error that was the creation of the world.
This is followed by a parable about anointing, the meaning of which is obscure, but may be connected with the way in which a sealed amphora meant it was full, a metaphor for knowledge − having the final "seal" in the jigsaw and one understands, but without it, the scraps of understanding that one has put together can still be easily undone:[citation needed] But those whom he has anointed are the ones who have become perfect.
[citation needed] One section states: Those whose name he knew in advance were called at the end, so that one who has knowledge is the one whose name the Father has uttered.
[citation needed] "Fragment G", which Clement of Alexandria (Stromateis 6.52.3-4) related to "On Friends", asserts that there is shared matter between Gnostic Christian material, and material found in "publicly available books"; which is the result of "the law that is written in the [human] heart".
Layton relates the former to GTr 43.22 at the end of the work, which emphasises that the Gnostics are the Father's children and will live eternally.
Layton relates the latter to GTr 24.20, which proposes to "nullify the realm of appearance" and then explains this as the world that lacks the Father.
The level to which these writings express the power of the "self" in the coming of knowledge, and the conflict of the innate perception that the average person is too weak, too full of misconceptions to be able to lift themselves up is addressed.
The average person is not poor in spirit, but haughty, and therefore too weak to save himself without the sacrifice of God on our behalf.