How the Trinity verse got added to the Bible

Summary

In the 16th century, Dutch scholar Erasmus published the first printed edition of the Greek New Testament, which significantly influenced later translations like the King James Bible. However, his edition omitted the Johannine Comma (1 John 5:7-8), a verse supporting the Trinity doctrine, as it wasn't in his Greek manuscripts. Despite this, pressured by theologians, he included it in subsequent editions after a 16th-century manuscript was produced. This led to its inclusion in many English Bibles, despite modern textual criticism revealing it as a likely later addition, not present in the earliest manuscripts.

Takeaways

• 📜 The story revolves around the addition of the 'Trinity verse' to the Bible, specifically 1 John 5:7-8, which is known as the Johannine Comma.
• 🕊️ Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, produced the first printed edition of the Greek New Testament, which significantly influenced later translations.
• 🔍 Erasmus' edition was based on a few late medieval manuscripts, notably lacking the Johannine Comma, which was present in Latin Vulgate translations.
• 📚 The absence of the Trinity verse in Erasmus' initial edition was met with strong criticism from Christian theologians, accusing him of undermining the doctrine of the Trinity.
• 🗣️ In response to the criticism, Erasmus agreed to include the Johannine Comma in future editions if a Greek manuscript containing it could be provided.
• 📝 A Greek manuscript was allegedly produced for this purpose, which was a 16th-century creation and not an original text, leading Erasmus to include the verse in subsequent editions.
• 🔄 The editions that included the Johannine Comma became the basis for the Greek New Testament used by translators for centuries, including the King James Bible.
• 📉 The Textus Receptus, the form of the Greek text based on Erasmus' editions, was widely accepted until scholars began advocating for the use of older and more reliable manuscripts.
• 📚 Modern translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version, often exclude the Johannine Comma due to its questionable authenticity.
• 🤔 The presence of the Johannine Comma in some versions of the Bible, despite scholarly consensus on its late addition, raises questions about the integrity of the text and the doctrine of the Trinity.

Q & A

Who is Erasmus and what is his significance in the history of the Bible?

Erasmus was a Dutch scholar who produced the first printed edition of the Greek New Testament. His work is significant because it became the basis for later translations, including the King James Bible.

What is the 'Johannine Comma' and why is it controversial?

The Johannine Comma is the name given to 1 John 5:7-8, a passage that explicitly supports the doctrine of the Trinity. It is controversial because it is not found in the oldest Greek manuscripts but was included in later Latin translations, leading to debates about its authenticity.

Why did Erasmus initially exclude the Johannine Comma from his first edition of the Greek New Testament?

Erasmus excluded the Johannine Comma because it was not present in the Greek manuscripts he consulted, which he believed were the best available to him at the time.

How did the inclusion of the Johannine Comma in later editions of Erasmus' work come about?

The Johannine Comma was included in later editions after opponents of Erasmus produced a Greek manuscript containing the verse, which was likely created specifically for this purpose.

What is the 'Textus Receptus' and how did it influence Bible translations?

The Textus Receptus is a form of the Greek text of the New Testament that is based on the editions published by Erasmus and subsequent printers. It influenced Bible translations for centuries, including the King James Version, until scholars began to insist on using older and better manuscripts.

Why did Christian theologians of Erasmus' time react negatively to the exclusion of the Johannine Comma?

Christian theologians were upset because the Johannine Comma was a key verse supporting the doctrine of the Trinity. They accused Erasmus of attempting to undermine this doctrine by excluding the verse from his edition.

What is the significance of the Codex Sinaiticus in the study of the New Testament?

The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the oldest Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, dating back to the 4th century. It is significant because it lacks certain passages, like the Johannine Comma, that are found in later manuscripts and translations.

How did the story of the Trinity verse being added to the Bible impact the perception of the King James Version?

The story highlights that the King James Version, like other translations of its time, was based on later manuscripts that included disputed passages. This has led some to question the accuracy and authority of these translations.

What are the implications of the Johannine Comma's absence in the oldest manuscripts for the doctrine of the Trinity?

The absence of the Johannine Comma in the oldest manuscripts means that the doctrine of the Trinity must be supported by other passages and theological reasoning, rather than a single explicit verse.

Why do some modern translations of the Bible, like the New Revised Standard Version, exclude the Johannine Comma?

Modern translations often exclude the Johannine Comma because textual criticism has shown that it is not part of the original text and was likely added later, making it less reliable for scholarly editions.