Christograph

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

Non-denominational Evangelical

Non-denominational Evangelical

Evangelical

Nuanced

Recognized as interpolation; Trinitarian doctrine from other sources affirmed

Non-denominational evangelical churches and commentators widely recognize that 1 John 5:7-8 does not include the longer Trinitarian reading in the earliest Greek manuscripts. The Comma Johanneum is a later Latin addition.

However, evangelical theology affirms the Trinity from other explicit passages (Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 2 Corinthians 13:14). The textual-critical fact does not undermine evangelical Trinitarian doctrine.

Key Distinctions

Textual status:
textual uncertainty acknowledged
Trinitarian grounding:
Trinity from other texts
Canonical status:

Scripture References

Sources

  • National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith
  • Evangelical biblical scholarship
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