“A Comprehensive List of the Collection of Codices of the Nag Hammadi Library: Understanding in Love and Faith”

The Nag Hammadi Library consists of 13 papyrus codices (bound books) discovered in 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt. They date primarily to the 4th century CE and contain Coptic translations of mostly earlier Greek texts (many Gnostic, some Hermetic, philosophical, or other early Christian). Codex XIII is fragmentary (leaves found tucked inside Codex VI). There are roughly 52 tractates/texts in total, including some duplicates across codices (unique works number around 45–46).

Herein is a comprehensive list of the Nag Hammadi Library codices with scholarly citations. The foundational scholarly resources for the entire collection are:

The Facsimile Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices (12 vols.; Leiden: Brill, 1972–1984), published under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt in conjunction with UNESCO, general editor James M. Robinson. This provides photographic reproductions of the original manuscripts.
The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices (5 vols.; Leiden: Brill, 2000; originally published in the Nag Hammadi Studies [NHS] series), edited by James M. Robinson. This is the standard critical edition with Coptic text, English translation, introductions, notes, and indices.
Marvin W. Meyer (ed.), The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The International Edition (New York: HarperOne, 2007), for modern accessible translations and scholarly introductions to all tractates.

Specific critical editions from the Nag Hammadi Studies (NHS) / Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies series (Brill) are noted under each codex where dedicated volumes exist. Page ranges and tractate numbers follow standard scholarly conventions (NHC = Nag Hammadi Codex).

Codex I (The Jung Codex)

Primarily Valentinian in tone, this codex gathers prayers, revelatory letters, meditative gospels, and a major systematic treatise on the divine and human conditions.

The Prayer of the Apostle Paul: A short invocation seeking divine light, mind, and the gifts beyond angelic or archonic perception.
The Apocryphon (Secret Book) of James: Framed as a letter, it records post-resurrection secret teachings given by Jesus privately to James and Peter.
The Gospel of Truth: A lyrical Valentinian meditation on the gospel as joy, the overcoming of error/ignorance, and the soul’s return to the Father through knowledge.
The Treatise on the Resurrection: A letter-style explanation affirming spiritual (not merely fleshly) resurrection and the already-present reality of life beyond death.
The Tripartite Tractate: An extensive systematic account of the divine Fullness, the fall into deficiency, and the three classes of humanity with their destinies

Scholarly citation: Harold W. Attridge (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codex I (The Jung Codex), 2 vols., NHS 22–23 (Leiden: Brill, 1985). Facsimile: The Facsimile Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices: Codex I (Leiden: Brill).

Codex II One of the best-preserved and most famous volumes; it mixes Sethian cosmogony, sayings of Jesus, sacramental reflections, and soul allegories.

The Apocryphon (Secret Book) of John (long version): A foundational Sethian revelation in which the risen Jesus discloses the true nature of the divine realm, the fall of Sophia, and the creation of the material world by the ignorant Archons
The Gospel of Thomas: A collection of 114 sayings of Jesus, many enigmatic, emphasizing self-knowledge and the Kingdom already present.
The Gospel of Philip: A Valentinian collection of reflections, sayings, and sacramental teachings centered on bridal-chamber mysticism and the restoration of the divine image.
The Hypostasis of the Archons (Reality of the Rulers): A mythic narrative of the Archons’ creation of the world, the resistance of Norea, and the eventual liberation of the spirit.
On the Origin of the World (Untitled Text / Writing without Title): A detailed cosmogonic myth recounting the origin of chaos, the rulers, and the human race from a Gnostic perspective.
The Exegesis on the Soul: An allegorical account of the soul’s fall into the body, its prostitution among the passions, and its redemption through repentance and the divine Bridegroom.
The Book of Thomas the Contender: A dialogue between the risen Jesus and Judas Thomas on self-knowledge, the rejection of the body, and the struggle against the passions.

Scholarly citation: Bentley Layton (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2–7, together with XIII,2..., 2 vols., NHS 20–21 (Leiden: Brill, 1989). Related: Frederik Wisse (ed.) for the Apocryphon of John long version materials. Facsimile available in the series.

Codex III Diverse revelation dialogues and philosophical expositions, including parallel versions of key Sethian works.

The Apocryphon of John (shorter version): A more concise form of the same secret revelation found in Codex II.
The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (Gospel of the Egyptians): A Sethian liturgical and mythic text celebrating the heavenly Sethian race and the great invisible Spirit.
Eugnostos the Blessed: A philosophical letter describing the transcendent divine hierarchy without Christian framing.
The Sophia (Wisdom) of Jesus Christ: A Christianized version of Eugnostos, recast as a post-resurrection dialogue between Jesus and the disciples.
The Dialogue of the Saviour: A fragmentary revelatory conversation between Jesus and disciples on the path of knowledge, the soul, and the end of the age

Scholarly citation: Alexander Böhlig and Frederik Wisse (eds.), Nag Hammadi Codices III,2 and IV,2: The Gospel of the Egyptians, NHS 4 (Leiden: Brill); Douglas M. Parrott (ed.) for Eugnostos and Sophia materials (NHS 27). See also The Coptic Gnostic Library overview.

Codex IV Primarily duplicate witnesses useful for textual comparison; both works are damaged.

The Apocryphon of John (long version): Another copy of the extended form of the revelation.
The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (Gospel of the Egyptians): A second, independent translation of the Sethian liturgical myth.

Scholarly citation: Same as Codex III for the Gospel of the Egyptians (Böhlig & Wisse, NHS 4); Frederik Wisse for Apocryphon of John long version materials (linked to Codex II editions). Facsimile in the series.

Codex V Centered on apocalyptic visions and revelations attributed to apostolic and primordial figures.

Eugnostos the Blessed: A second copy of the philosophical letter on the divine hierarchy.
The Apocalypse of Paul: A visionary ascent of Paul through the heavens, encountering judgment and higher realms.
The (First) Apocalypse of James: A dialogue in which Jesus instructs James the Just on the soul’s ascent past the hostile powers.
The (Second) Apocalypse of James: A martyrdom narrative of James combined with revelatory discourse.
The Apocalypse of Adam: A revelation from Adam to Seth recounting the true history of the seed of Seth and the coming of the Illuminator.

Scholarly citation: Douglas M. Parrott (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices III,3–4 and V,1... (NHS 27) for Eugnostos materials; other tractates treated in The Coptic Gnostic Library volumes and individual studies.

Codex VI Remarkably eclectic: Christian narrative, poetic aretalogy, ethical teaching, Platonizing adaptation, and Hermetic texts.

The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles: A narrative of the apostles’ journey, encounter with Lithargoel (a Christ-figure), and themes of healing and poverty.
The Thunder, Perfect Mind: A powerful first-person poetic self-revelation of a divine feminine voice speaking in cascading paradoxes.
Authoritative Teaching (Authentikos Logos): An exhortation on the soul’s struggle against the passions and its return to the divine.
The Concept of Our Great Power: An apocalyptic survey of cosmic history from creation through the end, centered on the Great Power.
Fragment of Plato’s Republic (588a–589b): A heavily adapted excerpt on the inner beasts of the soul, reworked in a Gnostic direction.
The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth: A Hermetic dialogue on ascent to the higher spheres and the vision of the divine.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving: A short Hermetic prayer of gratitude for knowledge and regeneration.
Fragment of the Perfect Discourse (Asclepius 21–29): An excerpt from the Hermetic Asclepius on the decline of the world and the nature of the gods.

Scholarly citation: Covered in The Coptic Gnostic Library (esp. volume covering Codices V–VI materials).

Codex VII A varied collection ranging from dense mythology to ethical wisdom and liturgical praise.

The Paraphrase of Shem: A complex revelation to Shem describing cosmic dualism, the descent of light, and the path of salvation.
The Second Treatise of the Great Seth: A first-person discourse of the heavenly Seth/Christ mocking the archons and affirming the true spiritual race.
The Apocalypse of Peter: A visionary account in which Peter sees the true spiritual crucifixion and the fate of the ignorant.
The Teachings of Silvanus: A wisdom-style exhortation blending biblical, Stoic, and Gnostic ethical instruction on the path of the wise.
The Three Steles of Seth: A liturgical series of hymns of praise ascending through the divine triad, attributed to the heavenly Seth.

Scholarly citation: Birger A. Pearson (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codex VII, NHS 30 (Leiden: Brill, 1996).

Codex VIII Dominated by a long ascent text followed by a shorter apostolic letter.

Zostrianos: An extensive Platonizing Sethian apocalypse describing Zostrianos’ heavenly ascent, baptisms, and visions of the divine realms.
The Letter of Peter to Philip: A short narrative and dialogue in which the risen Jesus strengthens the apostles against the powers and commissions them.

Scholarly citation: John H. Sieber (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codex VIII, NHS 31 (Leiden: Brill, 1991). Facsimile: The Facsimile Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices: Codex VIII.

Codex IX Fragmentary works combining priestly revelation, feminine voice, and polemical testimony.

Melchizedek: A revelation involving the priest-king Melchizedek, eschatological combat, and the role of Jesus as high priest.
The Thought of Norea: A short hymnic or revelatory piece spoken by or about the figure of Norea, daughter of Eve.
The Testimony of Truth: A polemical treatise attacking both orthodox and other Gnostic groups while advocating true knowledge and freedom from the law of the Archons.

Scholarly citation: Birger A. Pearson (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices IX and X, NHS 15 (Leiden: Brill, 1981).

Codex X Marsanes: A severely damaged Platonizing Sethian text on visionary ascent, the structure of reality, letters, sounds, and divine names.

Scholarly citation: Birger A. Pearson (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices IX and X, NHS 15 (Leiden: Brill, 1981).

Codex XI Mixes Valentinian sacramental exposition with advanced Sethian revelation.

The Interpretation of Knowledge: A Valentinian homily on the church as the body of Christ, knowledge, and the overcoming of division.
A Valentinian Exposition (with short sections On the Anointing, On Baptism A & B, On the Eucharist A & B): Fragmentary notes on Valentinian myth and the sacraments.
Allogenes: A Platonizing Sethian ascent revelation in which Allogenes (“the Stranger”) receives knowledge of the Invisible Spirit and the higher triad.
Hypsiphrone: A brief, fragmentary revelation involving the descent of a female figure named Hypsiphrone.

Codex XI Mixes Valentinian sacramental exposition with advanced Sethian revelation.

The Interpretation of Knowledge: A Valentinian homily on the church as the body of Christ, knowledge, and the overcoming of division.
A Valentinian Exposition (with short sections On the Anointing, On Baptism A & B, On the Eucharist A & B): Fragmentary notes on Valentinian myth and the sacraments.
Allogenes: A Platonizing Sethian ascent revelation in which Allogenes (“the Stranger”) receives knowledge of the Invisible Spirit and the higher triad.
Hypsiphrone: A brief, fragmentary revelation involving the descent of a female figure named Hypsiphrone.

Scholarly citation: Charles W. Hedrick (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII, NHS 28 (Leiden: Brill, 1990).

Codex XII Badly damaged; only partial leaves survive.

The Sentences of Sextus: A collection of Pythagorean-style moral maxims adapted into a Christian/Gnostic context (partial).
The Gospel of Truth (second, fragmentary copy): Another witness to the Valentinian meditation.
Unidentified fragments

Scholarly citation: Charles W. Hedrick (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII, NHS 28 (Leiden: Brill, 1990).

Codex XIII Not a complete codex but eight leaves removed in antiquity and placed inside the cover of Codex VI.

Trimorphic Protennoia: A majestic first-person revelation of the First Thought (Protennoia) in three successive descents as Voice, Speech, and Word.
On the Origin of the World (fragmentary second copy).

Scholarly citation: Charles W. Hedrick (ed.), Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII, NHS 28 (Leiden: Brill, 1990); Bentley Layton (ed.) for related Origin of the World materials (NHS 20–21). Facsimile: The Facsimile Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices: Codices XI, XII, and XIII.

These citations represent the primary critical scholarly editions. Additional specialized studies, concordances, and the French Bibliothèque copte de Nag Hammadi (Textes series, Presses de l’Université Laval / Peeters) provides further detailed commentaries for individual tractates.

We invite you to discover the centuries old truths of ministry of Yehoshua Ben Yousef, Ha’ Moshiach (Joshua, son of Joseph, the Anointed One) to once again discover the truths of our spiritual natures and our place among the cosmos of our Father.