Greetings:

This thread has become a debate on the Johannine Comma. One should note that of all the Greek mss available only about 501 of them contain 1 John. Of these anywhere from 8 to 30 of them (depending on what scholar you trust) actually contain the Comma. The Greek textual witness is very low indeed. However, minority readings can be proven genuine as the many different minority readings in the Critical Text illustrate.

As far as "there are no early Greek mss that contain the Comma" such is not true. Codex Witzenburgensis (SP?) is dated as an early Greek mss according to the rules set up by UBS, and it contains the Comma.

Why are there so few early Greek mss that contain the Comma? Well, the Comma is a strong testimony to the Orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. Modalism and Arianism almost took over the Greek churches during the first few centuries. The transmission of these texts were in the hands of Arians who would have no qualms about changing the text. This was not as great a problem among the Latin church and the Latin fathers. Thus, only the most pure Greek texts would make it through the Arian domination of the early church. Yet, the Latin church retained the testimony of the Comma.

Grace and Peace,

-CH

__________________
In Essentials Unity, in non-Essentials Liberty, in all things Charity.

Robert Paul Wieland
Springs Reformed Presbyterian Church
Colorado Springs, CO RPCNA
Student at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh PA
Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark, but professionals built the Titanic.