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Concept
Coptic Apocalypse of Paul
Summary
The Coptic Apocalypse of Paul (Sahidic Coptic: ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲁⲗⲩⲯⲓⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ) is a Gnostic apocalyptic writing. It is the second of five treatises in Codex V of the Nag Hammadi library texts, taking up pages 17–24 of the codex's 85 pages. The text describes a Gnostic cosmogony and interpretation of Pauline epistles via its portrayal of Paul the Apostle as an apocalyptic hero. The content of the text can be divided into three parts: an epiphany scene, a scene of judgment and punishment, and a heavenly journey in which Paul ultimately ascends to the tenth level of heaven. The basis of the ascent narrative is Paul's own writing in 2 Corinthians 12. The ideas presented in the text are consistent with Valentinianism.
The text was discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945 as one of the 51 total treatises transcribed into the 13 codices that make up the Nag Hammadi library. The codices had been buried around 400 AD. The writing is a Coptic translation of a Greek original. Scholars disagree on the date of authorship of the original Apocalypse of Paul text, ranging from the late-second century to the fourth century.
The first 12 lines of the text are either missing or extensively damaged. There are also gaps at the top and bottom of each page, but some of the text can be reconstructed.
Along with the rest of the works in the Nag Hammadi library, the text was translated into English and published in The Nag Hammadi Library in English in 1977. The publication was part of the work of the Coptic Gnostic Library Project, which began in 1966 at Claremont Graduate University. George W. MacRae and William R. Murdock translated the text to English. Michael Kaler presented an additional English translation in 2008. The text has also been translated into French, German, and Spanish.
Paul asks a little child for directions to Jerusalem. The child requests Paul's name to show him the way. The child knows who Paul is and wants to find an excuse to talk more. The child reveals that Paul is blessed and has been called to Jerusalem to meet his fellow apostles.
Official source
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