“... The sacramental system of the Gos. Phil. goes beyond a metaphorical interpretation of the elements since ‘the mysteries of truth’ are revealed in ‘type and image’ (85.20–21; 67.9–11). The water and chrism (§§25, 66, 75), bread and mixed wine (§§23, 53, 100) are interpreted as water and fire, flesh and blood, but their real value is that they convey the heavenly water and fire and light, the Word and Holy Spirit.12 The emphasis on the Word and Holy Spirit conveyed through a Eucharistic interpretation of John 6:53–65 is also found in Clement of Alexandria. After a paraphrase of John 6:53–54 where the flesh and blood is compared to milk and interpreted as nourishment for infants, he provides an alternative interpretation: ‘The flesh figuratively represents (avllhgorei/) to us the Holy Spirit; for the flesh was created by Him. The blood points out to us the Word, for as rich blood the Word has been infused into life’ (Paed. 1.43.2; see also 1.38.2). The association of the flesh with the Holy Spirit and blood with the Word in a Eucharistic interpretation of John 6:53–54 is strikingly similar to the Gos. Phil., except Clement indicates that the flesh and blood are symbolic of the Holy Spirit and Word respectively, whereas the Gos. Phil. suggests that the flesh and blood conveys the Word and Holy Spirit.13 ...”