TRV
1 John 5:7
Bible Versions
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
There are three witnesses —
For there are three that testify:
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
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Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: -
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen. -
Acts 5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. -
Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: -
Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. -
John 1:1
¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -
Acts 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
1 John 5:7 (KJV): "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
Context of 1 John 5:7
This verse appears within a section of John's epistle focused on the themes of faith, divine witness, and overcoming the world. Leading up to this verse, John speaks of Jesus Christ coming "by water and blood" (1 John 5:6), signifying His baptism and sacrificial death, and emphasizes that "it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." The surrounding verses (1 John 5:6 and 1 John 5:8) speak of three witnesses on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, which agree in one.
Textual Significance: The Comma Johanneum
It is crucial for understanding 1 John 5:7 to note its unique textual history. While the King James Version (KJV) includes the phrase "in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one," modern textual scholarship indicates that this specific phrase is not present in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. This particular addition is often referred to as the Comma Johanneum.
The absence of this phrase in older manuscripts suggests it was likely a later scribal addition, possibly originating as a marginal note or commentary that eventually found its way into the main text of some later Latin and Greek manuscripts. This textual detail is a significant point of discussion in biblical scholarship and highlights the importance of studying various manuscript traditions.
Nevertheless, the theological truth expressed—the unity of the Father, the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost—is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine. While this particular verse is textually disputed, the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly established elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Key Themes
Practical Application
Even with its textual complexities, 1 John 5:7, when understood in light of broader biblical teaching, points to the profound reality of God's nature. It reinforces the Christian understanding of God as a unified being existing in three distinct persons. For believers, this provides a foundation for prayer, worship, and understanding God's work in the world. The consistent witness of God, whether through the Spirit, water, blood, or the unified Godhead, assures believers of the truth of the Gospel and the certainty of their salvation.