Trinitarian Formula

QUESTION: Trinitarian Formula - 1 John 5:7-8

ANSWER: Three scriptures are addressed by Ehrman, in the book Misquoting Jesus (Mark 16:9–20; John 7:53–8:11; and 1 John 5:7–8).

1 John 5:7-8 – The “Trinitarian Formula”

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.

No issue here either. Most current translations have actually corrected the above text (King James Version) to the following (NIV):

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

In addition, the NIV provides the following footnote: “Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the sixteenth century).”

For the last few hundred years, textual scholars have accepted that these two verses were corrupted in the 16th century due to church pressure. However, the removal of the extra language does not challenge the doctrine of the Trinity, which is presented throughout scripture in numerous places. In addition, it’s interesting to note that although this scripture declaring the Trinity first appeared in 1522 AD, the Council of Constantinople affirmed the Trinity doctrine in 381 AD (without need for it).