These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded. (Preface to the Gospel of Thomas)

In 1945 a Coptic text of the "Gospel According to Thomas" was found in a cave at Nag Hammadi in upper Egypt. Scholars argue but many have credibly determined the text assumed its current form late in the First Century or early in the Second.

While contemporary with the synoptic gospels and John, the Thomas Gospel was lost for most of Christian history. By the Third Century Origen questioned the orthodoxy of Thomas. About 430 Philip of Side wrote, "most of the elders... completely rejected the so-called Gospel of Thomas." By the Fifth Century it had been excluded from the canon and was proscribed.

For 1500 years these words were unread. Despite the assertion that these are "secret sayings" many of the words are quite similar to what we know from the canonical gospels. The differences and additions of Thomas can, at least, provoke us to hear the well-known words with new ears.

Unlike the four accepted gospels, Thomas is not a narrative. Rather it is a collection of 114 sayings or short dialogues. The lack of context can either complicate or simplify understanding mostly depending on our own predispositions.

An Apostle Thomas is referenced in the canonical gospels. His given name was Jude or Judas. Thomas means "twin" in Hebrew. Didymus means twin in Greek. The appellation was especially important to distinguish this Judas from the other who had betrayed Jesus.