Title
The title Pistis Sophia (Πίστις Σοφία) is nowhere given as the title of the whole work. The term is obscure, and is sometimes translated Faith Wisdom or Wisdom in Faith or Faith in Wisdom. A more accurate translation taking into account its gnostic context, is The Faith of Sophia, as Sophia to the gnostics was a divine syzygy of Christ, rather than simply a word meaning wisdom. In an earlier, simpler version of a Sophia, in the Berlin Codex and also found in a papyrus at Nag Hammadi, the transfigured Christ explains Pistis in a rather obscure manner:
- Again, his disciples said: Tell us clearly how they came down from the invisibilities, from the immortal to the world that dies?
- The perfect Saviour said: Son of Man consented with Sophia, his consort, and revealed a great androgynous light. Its male name is designated 'Saviour, begetter of all things'. Its female name is designated 'All-begettress Sophia'. Some call her 'Pistis'.
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