Chapter VI.—The threefold kind of man feigned by these heretics: good works
needless for them, though necessary to others: their abandoned morals.
1. There being thus three kinds of substances, they declare of all that is material (which
they also describe as being “on the left hand”) that it must of necessity perish, inasmuch as
it is incapable of receiving any afflatus of incorruption. As to every animal existence (which
they also denominate “on the right hand”), they hold that, inasmuch as it is a mean between
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the spiritual and the material, it passes to the side to which inclination draws it. Spiritual
substance, again, they describe as having been sent forth for this end, that, being here united
with that which is animal, it might assume shape, the two elements being simultaneously
subjected to the same discipline. And this they declare to be “the salt”86 and “the light of
the world.” For the animal substance had need of training by means of the outward senses;
and on this account they affirm that the world was created, as well as that the Saviour came
to the animal substance (which was possessed of free-will), that He might secure for it sal-
vation. For they affirm that He received the first-fruits of those whom He was to save [as
follows], from Achamoth that which was spiritual, while He was invested by the Demiurge
with the animal Christ, but was begirt87 by a [special] dispensation with a body endowed
with an animal nature, yet constructed with unspeakable skill, so that it might be visible and
tangible, and capable of enduring suffering. At the same time, they deny that He assumed
anything material [into His nature], since indeed matter is incapable of salvation. They
further hold that the consummation of all things will take place when all that is spiritual
has been formed and perfected by Gnosis (knowledge); and by this they mean spiritual men
who have attained to the perfect knowledge of God, and been initiated into these mysteries
by Achamoth. And they represent themselves to be these persons.
2. Animal men, again, are instructed in animal things; such men, namely, as are estab-
lished by their works, and by a mere faith, while they have not perfect knowledge. We of
the Church, they say, are these persons.88 Wherefore also they maintain that good works
are necessary to us, for that otherwise it is impossible we should be saved. But as to them-
selves, they hold that they shall be entirely and undoubtedly saved, not by means of conduct,
but because they are spiritual by nature.89 For, just as it is impossible that material substance
should partake of salvation (since, indeed, they maintain that it is incapable of receiving it),
so again it is impossible that spiritual substance (by which they mean themselves) should
86 Matt. v. 13, 14.
87 “The doctrine of Valentinus, therefore,” says Harvey, “as regards the human nature of Christ, was essentially
Docetic. His body was animal, but not material, and only visible and tangible as having been formed κατ’
οἰκονομίαν and κατεσκευασμένον ἀῤῥήτῳ τέχνῃ.”
88 [That is, carnal; men of the carnal mind, psychic instead of pneumatic. Rom. viii. 6.]
89 On account of what they had received from Achamoth.
Chapter VI.—The threefold kind of man feigned by these heretics: good works needless for them, though necessary to others: their abandoned morals.
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Chapter VI.—The threefold kind of man feigned by these heretics: good works…