Savoring Life with an Unsympathetic World View

Abstract

This article discusses the enigmatic logion 27 in theGospel of Thomas. It argues that preconceived notions of the text being “Gnostic” have affected previous interpretations of how the Sabbath is portrayed in logion 27. A discussion follows concerning the many different interpretations of the elusive second part of the logion and the phrase σαββατίσητε τὸ σάββατον/ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲥⲁⲙⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ. This has most often been interpreted as an admonition to reject the world. Instead, it is argued that the phrase should be understood as an admonition to “rest on the Sabbath,” with the intention of contemplating higher truths while lingering in corporeality.