Saying 82: Whoever Is Near Me Is Near the Fire
Whoever is close to me is close to the fire, and whoever is far from me is far from the kingdom.
Commentary
Quoted by Origen and Didymus the Blind as a saying of Jesus, which puts it in circulation in Egypt well before the Nag Hammadi copy was buried. Proximity is not made comfortable: the choice is fire or distance.
Parallels
Luke 12:49; Mark 9:49
Sayings on the same themes
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- Saying 103 Saying 103: Knowing Where the Robbers Will Enter Blessed is the one who knows where the robbers are going to break in: he can get up, gather his forces and…
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- Saying 49 Saying 49: Blessed Are the Solitary Blessed are the solitary and the chosen, for you will find the kingdom; you came from it, and you will go back…