Why isn't the Gospel of Thomas in the Bible?

Scripture & How We Got ItIn theological review

The short answer

Because the churches that received the apostles' writings did not receive it. It is a later collection of sayings attributed to Jesus, with no narrative, no cross, and no resurrection, and parts of it teach a view of salvation by secret knowledge that contradicts the apostolic gospel. It was known in the ancient world and set aside on exactly those grounds.

The fuller answer

Paul gives the test in advance: even if an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one preached by the apostles, let him be under a curse. The question for any writing was never whether it was old, interesting, or popular. It was whether it carried the apostles' teaching.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!

Galatians 1:8 (BSB)

The Gospel of Thomas, preserved in the Nag Hammadi collection in the edition named in the sources below, is a list of sayings, ending at saying 114, with no birth, no miracles in narrative, no death, and no resurrection. Some sayings echo the canonical Gospels. Others present Jesus endorsing salvation through hidden knowledge, and the final saying has Peter asking for Mary to be made male so she may enter the kingdom, which Jesus is made to approve. Whatever this is, it is not the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 (BSB)

The early churches were not ignorant of such books. They handled them, quoted them, and declined to read them as Scripture in worship. Athanasius's list of AD 367 names the recognised books and separates out writings appointed only to be read, and apocryphal works beyond those. Thomas fell outside the line in his day, and the reasons still stand.

Sources

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
James M. Robinson (ed.), The Nag Hammadi Library in English (1988)
Athanasius, Festal Letter 39 (AD 367)

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