Early Christian Writings
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Nag Hammadi Coptic Text
BLATZ
(95) [Jesus said:] If you
have money, (p. 49) do not
lend at interest, but give [ . .
. ] to him from whom you
will not receive it back.
Visitor Comments
Give freely with out
condition. Help everyone
and do not expect to be
repayed at all. Do not expect
repayment for favours given
in the past.
- Brian
As a follower of Jesus I've
just recently fully understood
that I came here with nothing
material, and when I leave
here it will be the same. God
owns everything, and
anything that he gives me
materially while I'm here I
am to be a conduit of His to
freely and cheerful give back
to Him, and to others. God
does not charge us interest
on what we in essence
borrow from Him, but yet
bestows us with enumerable
dividends. We would all do
well to give like God.
- 1of2
This is not so much about
money but about help in
general. It saying many
times people give with the
Gospel of Thomas Saying 95 Previous - Gospel of Thomas Home - Next
Funk's Parallels
Luke 6:27-36, Matt 5:38-
42.
LAYTON DORESSE
(95) [Jesus said], "If you 99 [95]. [Jesus says: "If (?)]
(plur.) have money, do not you have money, do not
lend it out at interest. lend it at interest, but [. . .]
Rather, give [it] to one from who (?) will not take them
whom you will not get it from him."
back."
Scholarly Quotes
Gerd Ludemann writes: "the logion has a parallel in content in Matt. 5.42b/Luke
6.30. But the theme of interest recalls the antipathy of Thomas to merchants (cf.
64.12). However, this does not exclude the possibility that it was already contained in
the tradition that Thomas is using." (Jesus After 2000 Years, p. 636)
Comparing Thomas to Matthew and Luke, Koester finds that the Thomas form is
more original: "The ending of Luke 6:34 ('Even sinners lend to sinners . . .') is a
secondary addition in analogy to the ending of the preceding saying Luke 6:33 ('Even
sinners do that'). Matt 5:42 reads, 'Give to the one who asks you, and do not refuse
one who wants to borrow from you.' This may have preserved the wording of the
original saying better than Luke 6:34, and Thomas's version can be best explained as
a development of this form." (Ancient Christian Gospels, p. 90)
Funk and Hoover write: "Thomas records a saying that is parallel to Matt 5:42b:
'Don't turn away the one who triest to borrow from you.' Thomas' version may well
be the earlier version since it is absolute: lend to those from whom you can't expect
to get your capital back." (The Five Gospels, p. 522)
thought that they should be
repaid with interest. For
example, I helped you when
your family was starving
please come manicure my
yard for me. If you help
those who cannot possibly
give you the
information/food/time/love
in return you are following
the directions of Jesus!
- justlooking
As In Islam, no usury. Do
not lend. GIVE! Give to the
needy and with no
expectation of a return
- Thief37
Also, this is immediately
effective on the behavior to
instill not seeking. It doesn't
really matter what one is
seeking; it is the seeking
itself, be it for interest on a
loan or any ego-based thing,
it is still of ego, pettiness,
smallness, "me-ness."
- E. Grove
95

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