sphere or element in which ; 8d by, the medium through which. For the interchange of év and 6:4 see 2 Cor. vi. 7. The words are probably directed against the teaching of Cerinthus. See on ii. 22. John asserts that Jesus zs the Christ, and that He came by blood as well as by water.
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness («al 70 vedud éativ To waptupoov). Lit., and the Spirit is that which is bear- ing witness. Note the present tense, beareth witness, and com- pare ver. 9, hath borne witness. The witness is present and continuous in the Church, in the sacraments for instance, an water and zm blood. Witnessing is the peculiar office of the Spirit. See John xiv. 26; xv. 26; xvi. 8sqq. See on John Lait:
Because (érc). Some render that, as presenting the sub- stance of the testimony, which is absurd: the Spirit witnesseth that the Spirit ts the truth. The Spirit is the Holy Ghost, not the smritual life in man.
The truth (1 adj9ea). Just as Christ is the truth (John xiv. 6).
7. There are three that bear record (tpeis eicwv of waptu- povvres). Lit., three are the witnessing ones.
The Father, the Word, and the Holy. Ghost, and these three are one. ‘These words are rejected by the general ver- dict of critical authorities. For the details of the memorable controversy on the passage, the student may consult Frederick Henry Scrivener, “Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament;” Samuel P. Tregelles, “ An Account of the Printed Text of the Greek New Testament;” John Selby Watson, “The Life of Richard Porson, M.A.;” Professor Ezra Abbot, ‘ Orme’s Memoir of the Controversy on 1 John v. 7;” Charles Foster, ‘A New Plea for the Authenticity of the Text of the Three Heay- enly Witnesses,” or ‘Porson’s Letters to Travis Kclectically Examined,” Cambridge, 1867. On the last-named work, Scrivener remarks, “I would fain call it a success if I could