feature of Gnosticism, is borne in mind, a vivid light is at once shed upon many passages in the Epistle. In those, especially, in which we find the formula “he that saith” (ὁ λέγων), or an equivalent (ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, ἐάν τις εἴπῃ), it becomes apparent that it is no abstract contingency the writer has in view, but a definitely recognised case. Thus in 2:4, 6, 9 we have what may be supposed to be almost verbal quotations of current forms of Gnostic profession (he that saith), “I know Him,”1