1 John 5:7 – The Johannine Comma The Most Famous Textual Variant in the New Testament?

Correction: Its absent from 100%

---

1 John 5:7 – The Johannine Comma

The Most Famous Textual Variant in the New Testament?

By Simon Brown

For centuries, 1 John 5:7 has been one of the most debated verses in the New Testament. The longer reading found in the King James Version states:

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

This passage has often been used as one of the strongest biblical arguments in support of the doctrine of the Trinity.

But an important question remains:

Did the Apostle John actually write these words?

Or were they added centuries later?

As Christians, we should follow the example of the Bereans.

"Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21

And as the Apostle John warned:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God."
— 1 John 4:1

If a passage has been questioned by scholars for hundreds of years, it deserves careful examination.

---

What Is the Johannine Comma?

The disputed words are commonly known as the Johannine Comma.

The longer reading says:

"...in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth..."

Modern Bible translations usually omit these words because most textual scholars conclude they were not part of John's original letter.

Instead, most modern translations simply read:

"For there are three that testify:"

followed by verse 8:

"the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree."

---

Why Do Most Modern Bibles Omit the Longer Reading?

One of the main reasons is the manuscript evidence.

The Johannine Comma is absent from the overwhelming majority of ancient Greek manuscripts, including the earliest and most important witnesses.

It is also absent from many early Bible translations, including ancient Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Arabic and Slavonic manuscripts.

Many respected textual scholars therefore conclude that the longer reading was not part of the original text written by John.

Bruce Metzger, regarded as one of the world's leading New Testament textual critics, concluded that the passage entered the Greek tradition through a marginal note that was later copied into the text.

---

The Evidence from Greek Manuscripts

The evidence is striking.

The longer Trinitarian wording is missing from virtually all early Greek manuscripts.

It only appears in a handful of very late Greek manuscripts, most of which date from the Middle Ages or later.

This explains why many modern Bible translations omit the passage or place it in a footnote.

---

The NASB Lexicon

An interesting example is the NASB Greek Lexicon.

When examining 1 John 5:7, the lexicon simply translates:

"For there are three that testify."

The additional Trinitarian wording does not appear because it is absent from the Greek text being translated.

---

The Interlinear Greek Text

The same pattern can be seen in many Greek interlinear Bibles.

The Greek text simply reads:

"For there are three that testify."

There is no reference to:

• the Father

• the Word

• the Holy Spirit

within the Greek manuscript tradition on which these editions are based.

---

What Do Bible Commentaries Say?

Even many conservative Bible commentaries acknowledge the textual problem.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary notes that the disputed words are absent from the oldest Greek manuscripts and appear to have entered the Latin tradition before eventually finding their way into some Greek copies.

Likewise, the Pulpit Commentary concludes that the passage was almost certainly introduced from a marginal note into the Latin Vulgate before later appearing in a small number of Greek manuscripts.

These observations come from commentators who generally hold orthodox Trinitarian beliefs, yet still recognize the textual evidence.

---

Dr. James White

Dr. James White is a well-known evangelical scholar and defender of the Trinity.

Despite strongly defending Trinitarian theology, he acknowledges that the longer reading of 1 John 5:7 was not part of the original Greek text.

His acceptance of this conclusion demonstrates that rejecting the Johannine Comma does not require rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity itself. Many Trinitarian scholars also agree that the passage is not original.

---

Why Was It Included in the King James Bible?

The King James Bible was translated from the Textus Receptus.

The earliest printed editions of the Textus Receptus did not contain the Johannine Comma.

Later editions included it after pressure was placed on Desiderius Erasmus when a Greek manuscript containing the passage was produced. Most scholars believe this manuscript was very late.

Because the King James translators relied largely on these later editions of the Textus Receptus, the longer reading entered the King James Version.

---

Does Removing the Comma Affect Christian Faith?

For many Christians, the answer is no.

Even many Trinitarian scholars freely admit the passage is almost certainly not original while continuing to believe in the Trinity based on other passages.

Likewise, Christians who reject the doctrine of the Trinity argue that removing the Johannine Comma simply restores John's original words.

Either way, the question is one of textual history, not merely theology.

---

The Importance of Honest Scholarship

Whatever our theological position, Christians should seek the original words of Scripture.

If later additions entered the biblical text, we should not be afraid to acknowledge them.

Truth has nothing to fear from honest investigation.

As Jesus said:

"Seek, and you shall find."
— Matthew 7:7

---

My Conclusion

After studying the manuscript evidence, the Greek text, early Bible translations, and the conclusions of numerous textual scholars—including many who themselves believe in the Trinity—I have concluded that the longer reading of 1 John 5:7, known as the Johannine Comma, was not part of John's original letter.

In my view, the evidence strongly supports the shorter reading preserved in the earliest Greek manuscripts.

For me, this demonstrates the importance of testing every teaching against Scripture and carefully examining the historical evidence rather than accepting traditions without question.

Whether readers ultimately agree or disagree with my conclusion, I encourage everyone to study the evidence personally and prayerfully.

As Jesus said:

"Seek, and you will find."
— Matthew 7:7

---

Old Article:

1

2

There are Trinitarians who believe the Bible translations like the King James Bible, regarding, 1 John 5:7, proves the TRINITY.

This is because the Trinitarian Bible translations like the King James Bible, reads: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

This scripture is a perfect teaching to prove the TRINITY is correct, and adequately good enough to accept the TRINITY as a Biblical teaching and doctrine, because within the verse of the translations like the King James Bible, we read  there are THREE SEPARATE beings in heaven who are ONE, confirming with what the TRINITY doctrine teaches.
And within the verse of, 1 John 5:7, in the Trinitarian Bible translations, we also find there is no other teaching in the entire Bible which teaches there are THREE as ONE. That fact makes this verse enormously important for the TRINITY faith, and others desiring to know the truth.

We also find there are Trinitarian's who have done some research on' 1 John 5:7, as in the article here by David W. Daniels. Who sates:

1 John 5:7 belongs in the King James Bible and was preserved by faithful Christians. But the passage was removed from many Greek manuscripts, because of the problems it seemed to cause.

Click on image to enlarge.

Go to this website here: http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/1john57.asp

But if the claims like David W. Daniels are correct, then surly we will find dedicated Trinitarian scholars supporting and agreeing with, David, Daniels, claims, who are often biased, who would surly jump to using this scripture to prove their own TRINITY faith, instead of CONTRADICTING each other. Read on and lets see if that is the case?


What is WRITTEN in the OLDEST manuscripts, because surely they would reveal the truth, as they are the literal Biblical FACTS, that take us as close as possible to the originals.

It is encouraging to see how the oldest complete Bibles, are proving the many later manuscripts and some translations to be unreliable, wrongly translated or simply forgeries, and seem to prove some kind of Trinity conspiracy, as we will now examine and see in 1 John 5:7.

Trinitarians will often say one needs to be a Bible scholar and read and understand Greek, to teach the truth, and if one is not, they will not understand the truth.

Lets again examine the Biblical facts and see if that Trinitarian claim is true.

In this weeks article, we will examine THREE simple Biblical facts.

1. Do people need to be a scientist, or a Bible scholar to read and understand Greek, or just be an ordinary person like me off the street?

2. Does it make any difference when scientists, or Bible scholars present the Biblical FACTS?

3. In this article, we will discover another SHOCKING Biblical fact: The GREATEST Trinitarian FORGERY In History.

First, lets have a look at 1 John 5:7?

It is a good thing in these last days to translate the oldest manuscripts from the Greek ourselves.

As St Paul taught: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

By doing so, we find what's biased translations, and forgeries.

It was true that years ago we certainly needed Bible scholars, and thats why I thank GOD for scientists like Sir Isaac Newton, who studied Greek and Hebrew, and was able to examine the scriptures and workout what was true and false.

But now our great GOD Almighty has made it possible in these last days for ordinary people, who have a desire to understand the truth of His amazing teachings to have available by internet the famous Greek and Hebrew manuscripts in seconds, at a click.

And this is what I would like to demonstrate.

Here is my own translation of 1 John 5:5-8, from one of the oldest complete Bibles known as the Codex Sinaiticus,

Click on image to enlarge.

1 John 5:5.

ϲτιϲ(faith)  ημων(of us). 
τιϲ(Who)   δε(now) εϲτιν(is)  ο(the)  νεικων(overcoming) τον(the)  κοϲμον(world)  ει(if)  μη(not) ο(the) πιϲτευων(believing)  οτι(that) ιϲ(Jesus) εϲτιν(is) ο(the)  υϲ(Son) του(the)  θυ(GOD)

Notice, NOTHING is said by St John about one must believe Jesus is GOD or a TRINITY. But only believe Jesus is the Son of His GOD.

1 John 5:6.

ουτοϲ(this)  εϲτιν(is)  ο(the)  ελθων(having come)  δια(by)  υδατοϲ(water)  και(and)  αιματοϲ(blood) και(and) πνϲ ιϲ(Jesus)  χϲ(Christ) ουκ(not)  εν(by) τω(the)   ϋδατι(water)   μονον(only) αλλ(but)   εν(by)  τω(the)   ϋδατι(water) και(and)  τω(the)  αιματι(water)   και(and) το(the) πνα(Spirit)   εϲτιν(is)  το(the) μαρτυρουν(testifying)   οτι(because)  το(the) πνα(Spirit)  εϲτιν(is)  η(ho, hé, to, the) αληθεια(truth)

1 John 5:7.

οτι(For) οι(the) τρειϲ(three) ειϲιν(are)  οι(these) μαρτυρου(that testify)

1 John 5:8.

τεϲ(three) το(the)  πνα(Spirit) και(and) το(the) ϋδωρ(water) και(and)  το(the) αιμα(blood)

Did you notice what I did?

1. In these days, one does not need to be a scientists, or a Bible scholar to read and understand Greek, or have power, or a skill, and have to purchase books, but be an ordinary person like me off the street who never went to school, where one is able to click two simple buttons on a computer, and instantly see how the oldest Bible manuscripts, compare with the deceiving translations we read today, where anyone and everyone can see what’s true, reliable, and false.

But more important, did you notice the MAIN verse so many Trinitarians use to prove there are THREE as ONE, supporting the Catholic Trinity doctrine in, 1 John 5:7?

No, I did not either.

Because the whole verse saying: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one, Is MISSING from the Codex Sinaiticus.

But this Biblical fact and shocking FORGERY gets worse by the second.

Because, as I will show you, this GREAT Trinitarian FORGERY, is not just MISSING from the Codex Sinaiticus, but instead, the Trinitarian formula is COMPLETELY MISSING from ALL the oldest manuscripts.

What this proves, is that many Trinitarian’s believe what they read, without doing any research on what they read. And have no idea with whats MISSING from 1 John 5:7.

And what about Trinitarians like David W. Daniels, if he is correct, why don’t other Trinitarians Scholars agree with him?

But instead, we see that Trinitarians like David W. Daniels, CONTRADICT other Trinitarian Scholars.

Apparently, committed super Trinitarian, and GREEK scholar, PhD, (theologian) Dr James White, the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, admits that, 1 John 5 7, is a FORGERY?

Pulpit Commentary, also states, 1 John 5 7, cannot be genuine.

And even worse, most Trinitarians do not even believe people of their own faith as the dedicated Trinitarian scholars, who even clearly admit this is a forgery.

Why are there so many Trinitarians who believe, 1 John 5:7, proves the Trinity, so blind? When all they need to do is simply have a look at many translations we have today, who clearly leave out the Trinitarian formula.

The amount of Trinitarians who use and send me this scripture to prove the Trinity is shocking, and instead they prove how deceived they are from understanding the truth.

Sadly when one is like me, an ordinary man off the street, no matter what Biblical facts one presents, most Trinitarians still refuse to believe the evidence proving the Biblical facts, well, except, when it agree with what they already believe.

But does it make any difference from a novice like me, compared with scientists, or Bible scholars who present the Biblical FACTS?

Well, read on, and you will discover that yourself, where I will finish this article by leaving you with the research by Bible scholars, where you can decide and be your own judge.

Click on image to enlarge.

It’s interesting to see how Bible scholars today agree with the research by one of histories greatest scientist Isaac Newton.

Newton's Arian beliefs

Newton became an Arian around 1672. First let us explain the Arian doctrine. It is a Christian heresy first proposed early in the 4th century by the Alexandrian Arius which, based on a study of the Bible, stated the belief that Jesus was more than man, but less than God. In other words Arians do not believe in the identification of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, so they do not believe in the doctrine of the Trinity.

Newton came to believe that the Roman Catholic Church was misguided in its interpretation of Christianity, and had returned to idolatry. Although he partly approved of the Protestant Reformation, he felt it had not gone nearly far enough to return Christianity to its original state. Now if Newton did not believe in the Trinity, he had to consider the First Epistle of John Chapter 2, verse 7, which reads (in the King James version):-

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Now Newton, who felt that his mission was more to study religion than science, certainly did not stop at reading the King James version of the Bible, but rather read all original versions he could, learning the necessary ancient languages. He discovered that the final phrase 'and these three are one’ was not present in any Greek version that he studied.

Newton came to the conclusion that it was a deliberate addition to the text to provide justification for the doctrine of the Trinity. He wrote down a list of twelve reasons why he was an Arian.

Now of course it was not acceptable for people to hold views considered heresy by the Church, so after Newton's death this list, and his other theological writings, were marked "Not fit to be printed". They were stored and were not read by anyone until Keynes acquired them in 1936. 
http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Extras/Newton_Arian.html

Here is the SHOCKING truth.
If Trinitarians do not believe Bible scholars who teach the TRINITY is false, then whom do they believe?

First let’s have a look at who Trinitarians do not believe.

Trinitarians certainly do not believe what GOD Almighty taught countless times, because GOD said He is THE ONLY GOD ALONE, and on His own, with NO GOD BESIDE HIM. Deuteronomy 6:4. Isaiah 44:24. Isaiah 45:12. 
Which contradicts the TRINITY who teach there are THREE SIDE by SIDE.

Trinitarians certainly do not believe what Jesus taught, because Jesus never, ever taught He was GOD, but instead taught His Father is His GOD and is the only ONE true GOD, and excluded himself from being GOD. John 17:3. Mark 12:29.

Trinitarians do not obey the first commandment, that we must believe GOD is ONE, because instead Trinitarians believe GOD is THREE, called the TRINITY.

Then whom do Trinitarians believe?
Well, as the doctrine of the Trinity was not established until to forth century.
And as the Catholic Church admit they made the Trinity into a doctrine, which is well documented in history.

That then proves this SHOCKING truth.

Trinitarians believe and follow the COMMANDMENTS of the Catholic Church.

Lothar Wolleh [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Simons, conclusion.
Then what is the meaning of John’s teaching in  I John 5:6, to 9?

If we read from, I John 5:6, to 9, we find St John is teaching about the: Testimony Concerning the Son of God, and NOTHING whatsoever about all THREE being in heaven and  being one or a TRINITY.

6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

What did St John mean?

1. Jesus came and was baptised by water. Matthew 3:17.

2. We know water and blood, came out of the side of Jesus when He was sacrificed.

St John stood there and was a perfect witness. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. John 19:34.

3. The blood represents Jesus ransom: who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:6.

4.  The Holy Spirit of God approved and testified His Son, as the Son of GOD.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  Luke 3:21 -22.

And this is why St John said:  For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. I John 7 - 8.

Hebrews 10:1, to 26 explains this perfectly.

-------------------------------

The real truth is that, 1 John 5:7, does NOT in anyway prove a TRINITY, which has actually been found to be a forgery which many Greek Scholars agree on. In reality this TRINITY phrase, 1 John 5:7, verse is missing from the original Greek manuscripts, and was NOT deleted, because it was NOT there in the beginning, but instead was added to some translations, by dishonest Trinitarians, at a later date, apparently with the sole purpose to deceive people into believing in the false Catholic trinity doctrine.

I think the lesson here is that you shouldn’t believe everything you read – you should instead be smart, much like the Berean Jews who examined the scriptures daily:

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 1 John 5:7.

We most certanly see, something fishy going on here to fool you and me. 

But here’s the biblical facts, that I believe the TRINITY phrase in, 1 John 5:7, proves to be false.

1.     There is NO mention of the THIRD person of the Holy Spirit being a SEPARATE being or SEPARATE GOD in John 1:1.

2.     There is NO mention of the THIRD person of the Holy Spirit being a SEPARATE being or SEPARATE GOD anywhere in the entire Bible.

3.     There is NO mention of the THIRD person of the Holy Spirit from the lips of Jesus when Jesus said: I and the Father are ONE, in His famous statement of John 10:30.

4.     There is NO mention of the THIRD person of the Holy Spirit in the book of Revelation. Where has He DISAPPEARED too, if he is a SEPARATE being, shouldn’t He be on Heaven’s Big Throne?

5.     Instead, the TRINITY phrase in, 1 John 5:7, states there are THREE as ONE.

6.  We then have the first and greatest commandment in Deuteronomy 6:4.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.

8.     And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Mark 12:29.

Notice, The first of all the commandments is to believe GOD is ONE, and NOT THREE.

If there are teachings or doctrines that CONTRADICTS the word of GOD, they must than be false.

We SEE the TRINITY phrase in, 1 John 5:7, clearly CONTRADICTS the word of GOD.

Finely, if there are THREE SEPARATE beings, 

that clearly = THREE SEPARATE GODS, 

ALL SIDE by SIDE, just as we SEE in the Catholic trinity image.

CONTRADICTING the very word of GOD, who plainly and clearly declares, He is GOD ALONE.

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself. Isaiah 44:24

I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12.

This Trinitarian FORGERY is in line with countless other Trinitarian FORGERIES, and just like another SHOCKING FORGERY in Revelation 1:11, where a whole verse: The Alpha and the Omega, is yet again MISSING from ALL of the OLDEST manuscripts and again was found to be added to the Title of Jesus, to deceive people into believing Jesus is the same ONE TRUE GOD.

The fact is,we very easily find 'countless' deliberate FORGERIES, distortions and mistranslations, which in return PROVES the desperation by some to prove that Jesus is His own GOD, or GOD and Jesus are a trinity, which instead DISPROVES and destroys the TRINITY'S own credibility.

The Alpha and the Omega. Revelation 1:11. TRINITARIAN FORGERY. 

We have discovered, the ONLY scripture that would prove the Trinity, is a FORGERY.
Is that surprising?

How the Trinity was Added to the Bible - Bart Ehrman.

As we see, even Trinitarian scholars agree 1 John 5:7 is a FORGERY.

WHY is this terrible PROVED FORGERY not a WAKE UP call for TRINITARIANS? 

Common sense tells us, if there is ONE FORGERY, there will be more, which should help TRINITARIANS to see  WHY IS THE TRINITY A CONSPIRACY CONTAINING DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES? 

Yet no matter what Biblical facts are presented, most TRINITARIANS, still refuse to believe the truth, including their own TRINITARIAN Bible scholars, who would jump to using this as proof for their own faith.

Instead MOST honour the Catholic main TRINITY doctrine, which is well documented in history, to be established by man hundreds of years after Christ.

The facts seem to prove, as TRINITARIANS do not believe what Jesus taught, that His Father is the ONLY ONE TRUE GOD, John 17:3, Mark 12:29, how then will TRINITARIANS believe Bible scholars in their own faith, which explains why TRINITARIANS still use this proved FORGERY.

-------------------------------------

RELATED ARTICLES

Portrait of Isaac Newton (1642-1727). /Photographer http://www.newton.cam.ac.uk/art/portrait.html. Artist Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723)

Sir Isaac Newton believed the Roman Catholic Church was misguided in its interpretation of Christianity, and had returned to idolatry. Reff Newton’s Arian beliefs

Newton felt that belief in the holy trinity was a flagrant violation of the First of the Ten Commandments.

Was one of history’s greatest scientists, Sir Isaac Newton correct?
Find out by clicking here.

Click on image to enlarge.

RELATED LINKS

Comma Johanneum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_Johanneum

Biblical Corruption by reluctant-messenger. http://reluctant-messenger.com/biblical-corruption.htm

1 John 5:7–

Main article: Comma Johanneum

KJV: ₇ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost, and these three are one.
₈ And there are three that bear witness in earth, ...

Modern versions: (omitted from main text and not in a footnote)

Reason: A multitude of books have been devoted to just this verse, including: A Vindication of I John V, 7 from the Objections of M. Griesbach [by Thomas Burgess] (1821, London); Das Comma Ioanneum: Auf Seine Hewrkunft Untersucht [The Johannine Comma, an examination of its origin] by Karl Künstle (1905, Frieburg, Switz.); Letters to Mr. Archdeacon [George] Travis in answer to his Defence of the Three Heavenly Witnesses by Richard Porson (1790, London); A New Plea for the Authenticity of the Text of the Three Heavenly Witnesses or Porson's Letters to Travis Eclectically Examined by Rev. Charles Forster (1867, London), Memoir of The Controversy respecting the Three Heavenly Witnesses, I John V.7 ˈ by 'Criticus' [Rev. William Orme] (1830, London), reprinted (1872, Boston, "a new edition, with notes and an appendix by Ezra Abbot" ); and The Three Witnesses – the disputed text in St. John, considerations new and old by Henry T. Armfield (1893, London); and many more.^[53] Eberhard Nestle, writing in Germany at the end of 19th century, said, "The fact that it [the Comma Johanneum] is still defended even from the Protestant side is interesting only from a pathological point of view."^[54] F.H.A. Scrivener, usually regarded as a defender of the KJV text, said of this verse, "The authenticity of [this verse] will, perhaps, no longer be maintained by anyone whose judgment ought to have weight; but this result has been arrived at after a long and memorable controversy, which helped keep alive, especially in England, some interest in Biblical studies. ..."^[55]

Early Church Fathers did not mention this verse, even when eagerly scraping together verses to support the Doctrine of the Trinity.^[56] This verse first appears, not in a New Testament manuscript, but in a fifth century Confession of Faith, and after that it was assimilated into mss of the Latin Vulgate, but it was (because of the lack of Greek documentary support) omitted from the first two "Textus Receptus" printed editions of the New Testament (namely those edited by Erasmus, 1516 and 1519),^[57] as well as some other very early Textus Receptus editions, such as Aldus 1518, Gerbelius 1521, Cephalius 1524 and 1526, and Colinaeus 1534.^[58] Stephanus (Robert Estienne), in his influential Editio Regia of 1550 (which was the model edition of the Textus Receptus in England),^[59] was the first to provide an apparatus showing variant readings and showed this verse was lacking in seven Greek manuscripts.^[60] Martin Luther rejected this verse as a forgery and excluded it from his German translation of the Bible while he lived – it was inserted into the text by other hands after his death.^[61] The first appearance of the Comma in a Greek New Testament manuscript is no earlier than the 15th century.^[62]

Doubts about its genuineness were indicated in printed Greek New Testaments as early as that of the first two editions (1515 & 1519) of Erasmus of Rotterdam, who simply left the verse out because he could not find a Greek ms containing it – and provided a comment that "this is all I find in the Greek manuscripts".^[63] Expressions of doubt also appeared in the edition of Stephen Courcelles (Étienne de Courcelles), in 1658, and from Johann Jakob Griesbach's edition of 1775. Most critical editions relegated the Comma to a footnote or otherwise marked it as doubtful.^[64] The American Bible Union,^[65] a Baptist organization, omitted this verse from the new English translations of the New Testament it published in the 1860s. The Roman Catholic Church was a bit more resistant about yielding up this verse; an 1897 decision of the Holy Inquisition forbade a Catholic "to deny or even express doubt about the authenticity of" the Johannine Comma, but this was effectively reversed by a declaration of the Holy Office on June 2, 1927, which allows scholars to express doubts and even denials of the genuineness of the Comma, tempered by the fact that the Vatican would have the final authority.^[66] and, e.g., the 1966 Jerusalem Bible omits the Comma without a footnote. The spurious nature of this verse is so notorious^[67] that even the Revised Version of 1881 did not bother to include nor provide a footnote for this verse, and many other modern versions do likewise. Ezra Abbot wrote, "It may be said that the question [of excluding this verse] is obsolete; that the spuriousness of the disputed passage had long been conceded by all intelligent and fair-minded scholars. This is true, but a little investigation will show that great ignorance still exists on the subject among the less-informed in the Christian community."^[68] Even the two leading editions of the so-called Majority Text (Robinson & Pierpont, and Hodges & Farstad) omit this verse (the Hodges & Farstad edition acknowledge the 'Textus Receptus' version of this verse in a footnote).