“... The theme of this logion is still ‘these sayings’ mentioned in the Prologue. GTh 1 sets out what is to be done with them: the labour of interpretation (see GTh 2) is what is crucial, and that is the reader’s task. The soteriological import of the words and their interpretation is evident. [...] Rather, Thomas is salvific in theme: reading Thomas is necessary to avoid tasting death, and in this sense Thomas can be called a ‘Gospel’. One can compare the similar language in John 8.51–52, where it is obedience to Jesus’ word which rescues from tasting death (cf. believing in Jn 20.31), and Ignatius’s description of the bread of the eucharist—‘the antidote against death’ (ἀντίδοτος τοῦ μὴ ἀποθανεῖν, Eph. 20.2). Plisch notes that the words, as opposed to the deeds and fate, of Jesus are identified here as central in Thomas. [...] Some have claimed that GTh 1 betrays the influence of the Johannine parallel, but this seems impossible to prove or disprove. ...”