Is That Verse Inspired?

Q. In studying the the subject of the trinity I came across I John 5:7. I have been told that this text is not in the Septuagint, the oldest Greek version of the Bible. If this verse is not in the Septuagint does that mean it is not inspired by God? How would one know if it is in the original?

A. Someone’s toying with you. 1 John 5:7 is not in the Septuagint because the Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Old Testament. It doesn’t contain any verses from the New testament which was written hundreds of years later.

However, there is disagreement over parts of 1 John 5:7. The earliest Greek manuscripts only say, “For there are three that testify” in verse 7.

The King James reads “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” That version of verse 7 supposedly can’t be found in any Greek manuscript prior to the 16th century, although there are records of it being referred to through out the Church age. One source cited nearly 2 dozen instances between 200AD and 1500AD in extra Biblical writings. Some defenders of the King James blame the Eastern Orthodox church for removing it.

This disagreement is cited primarily by those who deny the Trinity since it’s the only verse in the New Testament that specifically ties all three together. It’s clear from John’s other writings that he at least believed the Father and Son to be one and the same. John 1:1-2 and John 10:30 are examples. Paul, Jesus, and God are also on record as believing that. We’ll have to wait till we can ask John in person about 1 John 5:7.

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