The Johannine Comma: 1 John 5:78

By Christian Peter John Bahnerth

ABSTRACT
The study of the Comma Johanneum came to me early in my academic development, Where I was exposed to very different opinions on 1 John 5 in particular reading about the impact of verses 6 to 8 in various languages including English, German, and due to lack of further study, Greek and Latin. As middle age is past and my comfort in life was decreasing, I decided to try to write a study paper on it. After 6 years of study, writing, and re-writing this study, this is the end-result that leads the reader through several aspects of the “Comma”, for and against, with a comparison at the end.
Both views on the “Comma” have been addressed, both from those who are for the legitimate inclusion in the Word of God and those from those who do not agree with the former. I invite and challenge the reader to look at both sides of the argument and judge my paper accordingly.
Discussions with my educated friends went far beyond what I knew and believed at the start. I have attempted to keep the language un-complicated, and I have been told that it is suitable for students and scholars alike. Interested lay people are also invited to study this part of our Christian heritage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669888567

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Copyright © 2022 by Christian Peter John Bahnerth.

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Endnotes use superscript Roman numerals, i.e. i, ii, iii, etc. and appear at the end of this study paper.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Rev. date: 05/25/2022

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DE COMMA JOHANNEUM

1 John 5:7–8

The Johannine Comma

Comma or Lacuna?

Was 1 John 5 7–8 added to the Bible or was it re-inserted?

A Study by

Dr Christian P. J. Bahnerth

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER

CONTENTS

De Comma Johanneum

Preface

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

Scripture Quoted

Introduction

Part I:  Argumentum Epistula Iohannis I: Caput 5

The Argument of 1 John 5

Part II:  Contra Comma Johanneum

The Case Against the Inclusion of the Johannine Comma

Part III:  Pro Comma Johanneum

The Cause for the Inclusion of the Johannine Comma

Luther’s Comments

Annex A to Part III

Question:

Answer:

Grammar Aspect

Slip of the Eye

Loss Due to Persecution

Loss Due to Willful Removal to Counteract the

Sabellians

Biblical Support

Textual Integrity

Early Deviations from the True Faith

A Trail of Evidence

The Vaudois

Who Has the Most to Gain? Who Has the Most to

Lose?

Part IV:  Collatio De Propositum Comma Johanneum

Comparison of the Theses

Conclusion

End Notes

Bibliography

Scriptural Index

PREFACE

And if anyone shall take away from the words of the prophecy of this book, God shall take away his part out of the book of life.

—Revelations 22:19

I T IS MY lot and justly acquired the obligation to use the skills obtained on the long way through theological studies—from catechesis to doctoral—to search further for the truth or origin of what is claimed as correct Christian doctrine.

The Scriptures emphatically teach that there is only one God. However, they also teach that Christ is God. The Unity of the Being of God is truly an orthodox belief. But when it is overemphasized, to the neglect of the ‘Trinity’ of God, serious errors result. This happened, probably beginning quite ‘innocently,’ with what was perceived to be needed stress on the ‘oneness’ of God.

I intend to