1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"

Whether the Trinitarian formula in 1 John 5:7-8 ('the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one'), found mainly in late Latin manuscripts, is considered part of the original text.

Overall consensus49/100

Assyrian Church of the East

Assyrian Church of the East

Orthodox

Nuanced

Absent from earliest Greek MSS; later Latin development; Trinity otherwise affirmed

The Assyrian Church recognizes through its textual tradition that the 'Comma Johanneum' (1 John 5:7-8) is absent from the earliest Greek manuscripts and represents a later Latin interpolation. However, this does not disturb Assyrian affirmation of the Trinity, which is deeply grounded in the ecumenical councils, the creeds, and in patristic theology.

The Church's dyophysite Christology and Trinitarian faith are independent of this particular verse. The textual question is acknowledged; the doctrinal conviction remains unchanged.

Key Distinctions

Textual status:
later Latin interpolation; absent from earliest Greek MSS
Trinitarian grounding:
firmly established in councils and patristic tradition
Canonical status:

Scripture References

Sources

  • Critical biblical scholarship; Assyrian Church doctrinal standards