What is the Johannine Comma?

The Johannine Comma refers to a short clause found in 1 John 5:7-8 of the Latin Vulgate and some later Greek manuscripts. It reads: “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 been a subject of significant controversy in textual criticism, theology, and church history because it is absent from most early Greek manuscripts and is widely regarded by scholars as a later addition to the biblical text. The term “comma” in this context comes from the Latin comma johanneum, meaning a brief clause attributed to John.

Biblical Context and Textual Evidence

The Passage in 1 John 5:7-8

The Johannine Comma appears in some versions of 1 John 5:7-8 as follows:

• King James Version (KJV):
  

  “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

  In this version, the Johannine Comma is included, making an explicit reference to the Trinity.

• New International Version (NIV) (and most modern translations):
  

  “For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”

  In this version, the Johannine Comma is omitted, reflecting the majority of early Greek manuscripts and modern scholarly consensus.

Textual Evidence and Manuscript Tradition

The Johannine Comma is not found in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, including Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, both of which date to the 4th century. The earliest Greek manuscripts containing the Comma are from the 15th and 16th centuries, long after the New Testament was written.

• Greek Manuscripts: The Comma is absent from nearly all ancient Greek manuscripts of 1 John. It appears in only a few later manuscripts, and even there, it often appears as a marginal note rather than part of the main text.
• Latin Vulgate: The Johannine Comma is found in some late manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate, a translation of the Bible into Latin by St. Jerome in the 4th century. However, even Jerome’s original Vulgate did not include the Comma. It seems to have been added to Latin manuscripts sometime later, possibly in the early medieval period.
• Church Fathers: Early Church Fathers, such as Athanasius, Augustine, and Jerome, do not cite the Johannine Comma in their theological arguments about the Trinity, despite having ample opportunity to do so if it were part of the text they used. This absence suggests that the Comma was not part of the original text of 1 John.

Theological Significance and Controversy

The Johannine Comma has been the subject of much theological controversy, particularly during the Reformation and the debates over the doctrine of the Trinity.

• Support for the Trinity: The Comma has been used by some Christian groups to support the doctrine of the Trinity because it explicitly mentions the Father, the Word (identified with Jesus), and the Holy Spirit as being “one.” However, the doctrine of the Trinity is well-supported by other passages in Scripture, even without the Comma.
  • Matthew 28:19 (NIV):
    

    “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

    This verse, along with others like John 1:1 and 2 Corinthians 13:14, supports the Trinitarian doctrine independently of the Johannine Comma.

• Reformation Debates: During the Reformation, the Johannine Comma became a point of contention between Protestants and Catholics. The Comma was included in the Latin Vulgate, which the Catholic Church regarded as authoritative, while many Protestant reformers, relying on earlier Greek manuscripts, rejected it as a later addition.
  • Erasmus and the Comma: The Dutch scholar Erasmus initially excluded the Johannine Comma from his first editions of the Greek New Testament, citing its absence from the earliest Greek manuscripts. However, under pressure from some Catholic scholars, he included it in later editions after a Greek manuscript containing the Comma was produced.
  • Council of Trent (1546 AD): The Council of Trent, which was part of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, affirmed the authenticity of the Vulgate, including the Johannine Comma, as authoritative. This decision was partly a response to the challenges posed by Protestant reformers who questioned the Comma’s authenticity.

Historical Development and Key Figures

Erasmus and the Textual Tradition

Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466-1536) played a pivotal role in the debate over the Johannine Comma. His critical editions of the Greek New Testament, particularly his third edition (1522), included the Comma under pressure, despite his initial resistance due to the lack of manuscript evidence.

• Erasmus’ Dilemma: Erasmus was criticized for omitting the Johannine Comma from his first two editions of the Greek New Testament. In response to critics, he reportedly promised to include it if a single Greek manuscript containing the Comma could be found. When such a manuscript was produced (likely from the 16th century), Erasmus included the Comma in his third edition, though he remained skeptical of its authenticity.
  • Erasmus’ Third Edition: The inclusion of the Johannine Comma in Erasmus’ third edition had a significant influence on later Bible translations, including the Textus Receptus, which became the basis for the King James Version (KJV).

Influence on Bible Translations

The inclusion of the Johannine Comma in the Textus Receptus led to its appearance in several early English translations, including the King James Version (KJV). However, modern translations, based on more ancient and reliable manuscripts, typically omit the Comma or include it in a footnote, acknowledging its disputed authenticity.

• King James Version (1611 AD): The KJV, based on the Textus Receptus, includes the Johannine Comma, which has contributed to its continued use and defense by some Christian groups.
• Modern Translations: Most modern translations, including the New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), omit the Johannine Comma, reflecting the consensus of textual scholarship that it is not original to 1 John.

Theological and Doctrinal Implications

The Doctrine of the Trinity

While the Johannine Comma explicitly mentions the Trinity, the doctrine of the Trinity is not dependent on this passage. The doctrine is well-supported by a broad range of scriptural evidence that affirms the co-equality and co-eternity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Biblical Support for the Trinity: The doctrine of the Trinity is articulated and defended using a variety of scriptural passages, including:
  • John 1:1-14 (NIV): Describes the Word (Jesus) as being with God and being God, and becoming flesh.
  • Matthew 28:19 (NIV): Commands baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV): Offers a benediction in the name of the Trinity: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Textual Criticism and Scriptural Integrity

The Johannine Comma is a key example of the challenges faced in textual criticism, the discipline that seeks to establish the most accurate text of the Bible based on available manuscript evidence. The omission of the Comma in most modern translations reflects the careful work of scholars who strive to preserve the integrity of the biblical text.

• Textual Criticism: The case of the Johannine Comma illustrates the importance of textual criticism in identifying later additions or alterations to the biblical text. Scholars rely on the earliest and most reliable manuscripts to reconstruct the original text of the New Testament.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV):
    

    “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

    While all Scripture is inspired, the task of textual criticism is to discern what constitutes the original Scripture as written by the biblical authors.

Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine

The Johannine Comma has had a lasting influence on Christian doctrine and Bible translation, despite its disputed authenticity. Its inclusion in the Latin Vulgate and the King James Version has led to its acceptance in some Christian traditions, while its omission in modern translations reflects the ongoing work of textual scholarship.

Conservative Reflection on the Johannine Comma

From a conservative theological perspective, the Johannine Comma, though not original to the biblical text, has been historically used to support the doctrine of the Trinity. Conservatives who emphasize the importance of traditional translations like the KJV may continue to defend its inclusion, while others recognize the value of textual criticism in preserving the integrity of Scripture.

Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus

The discussion surrounding the Johannine Comma ultimately points back to the central truths of the Christian faith, including the nature of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Whether or not the Comma is included in the text of 1 John, the message of God’s love and the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remains foundational to Christian belief.

• John 3:16 (NIV):
  

  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This verse encapsulates the heart of the Gospel, emphasizing the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ. The unity of the Godhead, as affirmed throughout Scripture, calls believers to worship and serve the triune God, whose love and grace are extended to all through the person and work of Jesus Christ.