Should 1 John 5:7 be in the Bible?

This page tells why 1 John 5:7 should be in the Bible. Jehovah's Witness leaders and other supporters of modern translations claim that 1 John 5:7 should not be in the Bible. Although it appeared in second century writings, Watchtower leaders would have their followers believe that it was added in the fourth century by Trinitarians. This presumption is not supported by the facts. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

This verse was used by early writers to convey this same thought: "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit" are spoken of as "These Three are ONE" (Gk Ev) meaning of one Essence, a unity. The Early Church Fathers like Cyprian and Tertullian interpreted John’s words as: "He is speaking of the full and united Trinity" and "these are of one essence", etc., as they used John’s words here to refute and correct those who brought not the "doctrine of Christ."

2 John 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Many dispute this verse as original, claiming there is no manuscript evidence, or early Greek or Latin father’s witness to it. But research shows it was cited by Cyprian, Tertullian, Vigillius of Thapsis, Fulgentus, Victor Viten-sis, Priscilla, Varamidum, Jubianus, Bengellius and African Fathers as well. It was included in ancient versions as the Italic (157 AD), Vetus Italia (180 AD), an Old African Version (250 AD) & Jerome’s Vulgate (380 AD), when each of these drew from mss as close to the autographs as possible. For his Vulgate, Jerome drew on the Italic of 157 AD, who in turn may well have had the autograph itself.

It’s also in a number of versions and manuscripts: 61, 88, 629, 653, Mont-fortianus, Ottobonianus, 298, Ravianus, Wizanbergensis, Codex Montforti, Complutensian Polyglot and another manuscript at Naples, and the Vulgate has given us continuous transmission. Thus Erastmus was not alone in the decision to include it in his Greek text, and neither were the 40 plus scholars who gave us the King James Version being dishonest by including it. Stephens included it in his Greek Text (1550 AD) as did Elzivir in 1624 AD. 1 John 5:7 couldn’t have been quoted by these Early Fathers nor included in ancient versions, all before 400 AD if it had only first appeared ascribed in a margin of a manuscript in the 8th century! Equally Cyprian and Tertullian couldn’t have used it as ‘Since these three are one…’ and ‘He is speaking of the full and united Trinity’, had it not been universally recognized.

The three persons of the Godhead are seen in over 40 passages as all three in Jesus’ birth, baptism, resurrection & ascension, and creation. So the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the one ‘true Triune Jehovah God’ to quote Alexander Hysslop’s Two Babylons, and "the Bible is Trinitarian to the very core."

You have a choice whether to believe the Watchtower or the Bible. If you make the wrong choice of following the WT, you will be accountable to Jehovah/Jesus, the Eternal Son of God who will say unto you as soon as you die:

Matt 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (preached) in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils (done miracles)? and in thy name done many wonderful works (going door-to-door every week)? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matt 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

Please remember this: Jesus said that one can kill your body, but not your soul.  One's soul, spirit and body are different parts of the tri-unity of man.

Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

1Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.