And These Three Are One (1 John 5:7-8)
It is argued by scholars that this passage (1 John 5:7-8) in the King James Version has “added” text, which some say support the Trinity, that was not part of the original (earlier) Greek manuscripts, that wording is different in comparison to some of the later copies of the Dead Sea scrolls.
Note:
Verses 5:7-8—In the King James Version and later renditions of the Latin Vulgate, the received Greek and Latin texts include the words: “…In heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth…”. This text concerning the heavenly witness is not contained in any authentic Greek manuscript written earlier than the Fifteenth Century of this current era. It does not appear in any of the oldest Greek manuscripts; neither does it even appear in the earliest Latin translations. This text is not cited by any of the Greek or early Latin writers, even when the subject they wrote of would naturally have led them to appeal to its authority. The Emphatic Diaglott by Benjamin Wilson, Page 803, The Jerusalem Bible, New Testament. Page 419. Other scholars and researchers have frankly admitted that these words are a deliberate forgery that was never a part of the original inspired Holy Scriptures. Forgery in Christianity by Joseph Wheless, Page 235, A New Commentary, Part III, Pages 718-719 by Erasmus, and Companion to the Revised Version by Roberts. Page 72. These words were ADDED by later translators, and they are NOT the Inspired Word of God.
Why Discrepancies Exist:
In ancient times texts were hand written. Since ancient scribes did not have photo copying machines, all copies of these texts were also hand written. Being human it is understandable that discrepancies have been found within some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of approximately 972 texts discovered between 1946 and 1956 that consist of biblical manuscripts and documents found on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name.
The various translations that currently exist all stem from various portions taken from these Dead Sea Scroll texts. You must always keep in mind that what may appear in a particular passage of one bible is always dependent upon that publisher (KJV, etc.) as to what is printed or omitted.
Fact #1:
Different Renditions Exits Today
Some English versions thus have a different rendition of 1 John 5:7-8 than that of the KJV.
(1 John 5:7-8 (NASB)) 7 For there are three that testify: 8 [a]the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are [b]in agreement.
NASB Footnotes: (1.) 1 John 5:8 A few late mss add …in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth, the Spirit (2.) 1 John 5:8 Lit for the one thing
(1 John 5:7-8 (NLT)) 7 So we have these three witnesses[a] 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.
NLT Footnote: [a] A few very late manuscripts add in heaven—the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And we have three witnesses on earth.
(1 John 5:7-8 (NIV)) 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
NIV Footnote: [a] 1 John 5:8 “Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. 8 And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century)”
Fact #2
There Is No Discrepancy!
However, even if the texts were added, these additions are actually of no consequence and neither do they support the belief in a Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) as some suggest.
1. The statement (which is argued) that “there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost” as found in the KJV does not indicate that there are three separate god individuals as part of a Godhead unit (or Trinity), neither does the statement “and these three are one” (See: How Can Three Be One?)
2. Furthermore, the three titles mentioned (the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost) are all expressions that portray One God, not three separate spirit individuals; God is the Father, God is the Holy Spirit and God is the Word, which will be elaborated on more fully, but let’s first address why there are discrepancies pursuant to this passage.
God is the Father, God is the Holy Spirit; and
These are expressions that are used to symbolize or portray attributes of God. God is a Holy Spirit, God is the word of life, truth, power, God is the Father of…, etc… most Christians agree with this understanding in some manner if not totally.
Note: (adj.) Abstract is considered apart from concrete existence, specific objects, or actual instances: an abstract idea or an abstract concept. (a metaphor is considered an abstract idea)
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; (Spirit, Ghost, God, Bible, man, etc…)
An abstract name stands for an attribute of a thing; (Holy, faithful, just, evil, Almighty, etc…)
An abstract idea stands for an attribute of a thing; (the lamb of God, the Word, baptized with Fire, etc..)
Anything abstract is not concrete; you cannot physically hold it. It is an expression of something or someone. (The lamb of God was not literally a four legged wooly animal, thus it is figurative or a metaphor)
God is the Word
The Word (logos = thought/will) of God always existed. It being one of the three “expressions” of God (Father, Word, Holy Ghost) which cannot be separated from God without it being the same expression of God wherever it is used, be it in the bible or within flesh or anywhere.
These expressions of God, as used in the bible, are abstract reflections of God (who is an invisible spirit). These unique conceptual expressions of God where made manifest in many ways, flesh was just one way the Word (logos) of God was manifested.
In The Beginning:
1. the “logos” (word-thought/will) of God was “spoken” (God said…., etc..); and
2. the “logos” (word-thought/will) of God was “written” (the 10 commandments); and [1,400 BC: The first written Word of God: The Ten Commandments delivered to Moses] [500 BC: The Completion of All Original Hebrew Manuscripts which make up the Old Testament]
3. the “logos” (word-thought/will) of God was “made flesh” (in Jesus Christ) (See Also: The Word Was Made Flesh); and
4. the “logos” (word-thought/will) of God was “written” (in the New Testament) [1st Century AD: Completion of All Original Greek Manuscripts which make up The New Testament]
GOD can be expressed in many ways:
The WILL of God is God.
The WORD of God is God.
The POWER of God is God.
These are abstract words describing aspects of God, they do not describe what God looks like (literally or figuratively).
You cannot separate the WILL from the WORD from the POWER (of God).
The WILL is fulfilled by the WORD according to the POWER (of God).
In Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED (the POWER) upon the face of the waters. And God (the WILL) said (spoke the WORD), Let there be light: and there was light.
The WILL (of God) wanted to create a heaven and earth. So the WILL (of God) spoke the WORD (of God) and it was done according to the POWER (of God).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
(1 John 5:7)
This passage (1 John 5:7) illustrates a simple mathematical equation. We are given three variables (the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost). The verb “are” is used as the mathematical operation word which stands for equal to (=). It is equated as saying: These 3=1
However:
By definition: One is singular; (as in a single person, thing, unit, kind, group, classification or category)
By definition: Three is plural; (plural is always more than one)
By definition, these two numbers are different and will never have the same meaning.
Nonetheless, the summation of this equation (3=1) can be proven true both in a mathematical and Biblical manner.
This is only achieved if these three expressions (plural – multiple ways to express God) of the equation is said to be reflective of one specific category (one being, spirit, God, etc.). In this case, the three titles listed are different expressions of this one God, not three different God personages.
The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost [3], that bear record in heaven, is = 1[God]
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