1 John 5:7 Controversy
I recently heard of the controversy surrounding the seventh verse of 1 John chapter five. I decided to do a bit of research to see what the controversy is all about.
I believe the best way to start is with the verse in question, along with several others for some proper context.
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
It seems that a number of people believe that the verse in question has been added in later, and was not originally penned by John, the author of this book.
Here I present the beginning of my research into this controversy. I started by searching the internet, using Google. My search was for 1 John 5:7. I didn't add any other words in or do anything special. I then scanned through the results to find sites which have information dealing with this issue. I began to compile a list from the results I found. This list follows.
The issue of 1 John 5:7
Is this verse a part of the Bible, or is it spurious?Who's in favor of this verse, and why?
Who? David W. Daniels - Author of "The King James Bible Companion"
Why?
- Because it is quoted in the writings of Church fathers
dating from around 200 A.D.
- Because the Waldensian (Vaudois) Bibles (in latin) go as far back as 159 A.D. and contain this verse. The Vaudois received the Scriptures from missionaries of Antioch in Syria in 120 A.D. and they were subsequently translated into Latin.
Source: Bible Versions - Your questions answered.
Who? Fundamental Baptist Information Service
Why? Many reasons are listed here, including:
- The grammatical structure of the Greek text itself, which makes little sense if verse 7 is removed, but which makes perfect sense with the verse in place.
- Also lists contextual reasons for the inclusion of the verse, and
- mentions the manuscripts which include the verse, and information on other manuscripts in Latin from early centuries which include it, and
- reasons why it could have been removed from many Greek manuscripts.
Source: Vindication of 1 John 5:7
Other Websites with info in favor:
A portion of Dr. Thomas Holland's Manuscript Evidence Class
Who's against this verse, and why?
Who? The Muslims
Why?
- Because it affirms the Trinity, which they believe to be false. They believe there is no other good evidence in the Bible for the Trinity, and so by discarding this verse, they can easily reject the doctrine of the Trinity and thus the divinity of Christ.
Source: answering-christianity.com
Who? The Bible Students movement (See note below)
Why?
- Because they do not believe that Jesus is God in the flesh. But not only are they against the verse, they try to explain it away, just in case it is valid!
Source: Restoration Light Bible Study Services
Please note that this site is not associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses, as I was previously led to believe. While they are followers of Charles Russel, who is often credited with the founding of the JWs, the Bible Students movement is not affiliated with the JWs.
This page was created on June 20, 2003.
The page was last changed on February 28, 2005.