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

Church of the Brethren

Church of the Brethren

Anabaptist

Nuanced

Acknowledges later addition; affirms Trinitarian doctrine from clearer passages

The Church of the Brethren acknowledges that 1 John 5:7-8, in the Trinitarian form, is likely a later addition to the text not found in the earliest manuscripts. The Brethren approach combines textual honesty with doctrinal affirmation: the Church affirms the Trinity based on clearer and more original scriptural passages while recognizing that 1 John 5:7-8 in its longer form is textually disputed.

The Brethren commitment to both scholarly awareness and faithful doctrine allows them to hold that the Trinitarian faith is well-supported by Scripture even if this particular passage is textually questionable.

Scripture References

Sources

  • Church of the Brethren Statement of Faith
  • Brethren textual scholarship