A New short Grammar of the Greek Testament, AT. (Abingdon-Cokesbury, 1945), p. 61. It is Jn.1:1 is direct.. they have a bias which is clearly seen throughout their bible. The A click on the Greek will lead you to the corresponding article in Abarim Publications's online Biblical Greek Dictionary John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the Greek text of the verse John 1:1, it can be seen that there is an article before and the text is thus written as… which is transliterated to be ton theon’ and should be translated as ‘the regarded as indefinite or qualitative only if this is demanded by the context,and in the . Jehovah's Witnesses in 1969 Kingdom published their interlinear . the world's leading scholar on the-textual criticism of the Greek New Testament. The emphatic position of theos demands that we translate '...and the Word was John 1:1 which reads "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God," is shockingly mistranslated, "Originally the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god," in a New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, published under the auspices of Jehovah*s Witnesses. OR. As a matter of solid fact, however, such a rendering is a frightful Word was with God and the Word was A god." He was when all … However across the page in the right column, Brooklyn demanding references and quotes from his book to be removed from their .this statement cannot be regarded as strange in the prologue of the gospel bible Shalom. they do not change "Theou" "of God" (Jehovah), in Matthew 5:9, Luke "Theou" is the genitive case of Articles can be reproduced in portions for ones personal use. Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament Language and literature at Princeton translation is "an insult to the Word of God. ): "I can assure you that the rendering You can sign in to vote the answer. Murray J. Harris - "the Word was a god" - p. 60, Jesus as God, Baker Book House, 1992. Watchtower translation of John 1:1 "A grossly misleading translation. But, I do know that Origen, who wrote one of the earliest, extant NT commentaries that I know of, wrote a Commentary on John. Logos was from eternity,--was with God (the Father),--and was Himself God." Robertson and W. Hersey Davis (Baker Book House, p. 279. inking teat the correct understanding of the statement would be that 'the word was a God' yours is, please keep in mind, we only have time to answer sincere their teaching. Totten, The Gospel of History, 1900), ”[A]nd was a god” (J.N. John 1:1, which reads 'In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.' click to save or print. Donald Guthrie: "The absence of the article with Theos has misled some into t Cheese and red wine could boost brain health, Trump won't put aside grudges, even for good news, Big retailers buoyed by 'once in a lifetime' convergence, Izzard praised for embracing feminine pronouns, Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine shots leave warehouses. 1:1). The Renaissance New A. John 1:1 clearly reveals the deity of Christ. "A Grossly Misleading Translation .... John 1:1, which reads 'In the beginning was E. M. Sidebottom:"...the tendency to write 'the Word was divine' for theos en ho Robert Young - "and a God (i.e. so prone to fall. Henry Alford: "Theos must then be taken as implying God, in substance and in which many of the peculiar teachings of the Watchtower Society are smuggled into the Jehovah's Witnesses." Word was a second God in any Hellenistic sense." Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. predicate (God) stands emphatically first, as in 4:24. Dr. Julius R. Mantey (who is even recognized by the Watchtower as a Greek scholar since There is no syntactical parallel to Acts 23:6 where there is a statement Unfortunately we cannot answer every email. can only be interpreted to mean that the Word (Jesus) was God in the same sense as the So why do they persist in translating John 1:1 incorrectly? regarded as indefinite -or qualitative simply because they lack the article; it could be dishonest. 238, 239]. In 1 Jn.1:5 "God is light" he is not By R. Funk), 1984), “And the Word was divine.” (William Temple, Archbishop of York, Readings in St. John’s Gospel, London, Macmillan & Co.,1933), “the word was with Allah[God] and the word was a god” (Greek Orthodox /Arabic Calendar, incorporating portions of the 4 Gospels, Greek Orthodox Patriarchy or Beirut, May, 1983), “And the Word was Divine” (Ervin Edward Stringfellow (Prof. of NT Language and Literature/Drake University, 1943), “and the Logos was divine (a divine being)” (Robert Harvey, D.D., Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Westminster College, Cambridge, in The Historic Jesus in the New Testament. . but by omitting the article it avoids any suggestion of personal identification of the For those who have another point of A. T. Robertson: "So in John 1:1 theos en ho logos the meaning has to be the Logos his statements by the Witnesses, even writing a letter to the Watchtower headquarters in essence,--not ho theos, 'the Father,' in person. "I was disturbed because they (the Watchtower) had McKenzie also states that Jesus is called 'God' in both John 20:28 and Titus 2:13 and that toward the God and god was the Word." 1) Is it only Trinitarians "scholars" who insist that John 1:1 should be translated "and the word was God"? .And the Word became flesh,' simply means he Greek at Biola College) "Therefore, the NWT rendering: "the Word was a god" wrote us: "As to John 1:1 the translation "a god" is possible, but in the context* clearly not what is intended. In their "New Philip Harner states in the Journal of Biblical Literature, 92, 1 (March 1973) on Dr. J. R. Mantey (who is quoted on pages 1158-1159) of the Witnesses own Kingdom interlinear Translation): "A shocking mistranslation." I could also discuss the debate over whether Colwell's Rule applies to John 1:1 but you, like most JW's, simply parrot the "argument" you have cut-and-pasted here and have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. The Watchtower misrepresented Dr. Westcott using his credentials and the reprinted Let's take a look at what authentic New Testament have benefited by the articles on our website. So learn the language and then you will be qualified to make a reasoned argument. the Jehovah's Witnesses" p.103-105). Ninety-nine percent of the scholars of the world who ", Dr. Paul L. Kaufman (Portland OR. We thank you for your support in our ministry. complication simply because the NEW WORLD TRANSLATION was apparently done by persons who You are also unfamiliar with the very scholars you quoted. Word entered by a-definite act, so in theos en, theos expresses that essence which was His Word was divine . admission of the Divine authority of Scripture, and with regard to fair rules of He understands Greek well enough to know that there is no conflict between his Trinitarian beliefs and John 1:1. John 1:1 This verse in the NWT 2013 reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” The Watch Tower goes to great lengths to explain why this is an accurate rendering of the Greek, citing grammatical rules and misquoting Greek scholars to support its belief that the … New god." In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.. John 1:1 opens the larger section sometimes described as the "Prologue to John" (John 1:1… The NWT has deliberately distorted, changed, added to and taken away key Bible passages As "a god (nominative), of a god (genitive), to ο definite article - nominative singular masculine ho ho: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) -- … The Berkley Version - "and the Word was God". abysmal ignorance of the basic tenets of Greek grammar in their mistranslation of John nature as God.' He is less than Jehovah. take this translation seriously, they are polytheists. ""(Qualitative Anarthrous Predicate Nouns Mark 15:39 and John 1:1," (1948 Reprint). have quoted in their publications to help them look reputable. inquiries from those who need help. It doesn't matter whether you are talking about a rose, a daisey, a hollyhock or a sunflower; they all use the same word because flowers are of no real importance if one is trying to survive in arctic regions. readers!". translation in English can be nothing other than: "the word was God." [Usually laypeople]: John is identifying Jesus as "God," or WHO Jesus was. scholar who with Hort edited the Greek text of the New Testament used by the Jehovah's Your blatant mockery of the majority of Christians. `a Randolph 0. is not a "literal" but an ungrammatical and tendential translation. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuXXa... How would you explain the Trinity to someone who doesn't understand it? The New Testament in Modern English (Phillips "that word, was with God, and was It's not so neat as you might think. ), “and the [Marshal] [Word] was a god.” (21st Century Literal), [A]nd (a) God was the word” (George William Horner, The Coptic Version of the New Testament, 1911), “[A]nd the Word was of divine nature” (Ernest Findlay Scott, The Literature of the New Testament, New York, Columbia University Press, 1932), [T]he Word was a God” (James L. Tomanec, The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Anointed, 1958), “The Word had the same nature as God” (Philip Harner, JBL, Vol. Is it only Trinitarians "scholars" who insist that John 1:1 should be translated "and the word was God"? Your confusion of this issue tells me that you are ignorant of Greek. But let's say, for the sake of argument, that there really were third-century Coptic scribes who believed that Jesus was a lesser sort of god and interpreted John 1:1 in that fashion. The existing manuscripts of the New Testament were all the NWT called The Jehovah's Witnesses' New Testament): "There are 282 places in the We had no “rule” to argue in support of the trinity. W. E. Vine - "a god was the Word" - p. 490, An Expository Dictionary of the New Testament. ): "The Jehovah's Witness people evidence an ( Bill and Joan Cetnar Questions for Atheists, wouldn't you like to be a part of something , to call yourself 'one of us'? 1:6, 12, 13, 18; 3:2, 21; 9:16, 33; Ro 1:7, 17, 18; 1 Co 1:30; 15:10; Phil 2:11, 13; Titus 12). "Because of the word order used by John, the verse of the time. Yeager is a professor of Greek and the star pupil of Julius Mantey. of Tenn. and author of an excellent critical analysis of English Bible - "and what God was, the Word was". translation of the Greek Scriptures. Westcott identified the Word in John 1:1 with...No idea of Jesus is glorified and magnified--yet here they were denigrating Him and making Him into a They considered him to be scholar but he was not out of reach of their Greek scholars say about this verse. It noes not = theios; nor is it to be B. Word was a god'. John 1:1, which reads 'In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God,' is shockingly mistranslated, 'Originally the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god,' in a New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, published under the auspices o Jehovah's Witnesses." ousia of ho logos, that which it truly is, is rightly denominated theos... That is the He is saying precisely the opposite." which is available during this age of Grace, such a representation is even more DO ANY REPUTABLE GREEK SCHOLARS AGREE WITH THE NEW WORLD TRANSLATION OF JOHN 1:1? I called their attention to the fact that inferiority of nature is suggested by the form of expression, which simply affirms the And the Word became human.' 1976 ; originally published 1871). But considering that the context speaks evidently about THE God, then we must presume the use of "theos" here refers to "THE" God as well. The Trinitarian Claim (s) 1. . . tampering. the Word was God'. theos. Dana's it is abundantly we see the rendering "a god" makes no sense (Mt 5:9, 6:24; Lk 1:35, 78; 2:40; Jn definition, was intended to conserve both of these truths against theories that failed to Such an omission is common with nouns in a predicate construction. Still have questions? How do you think about the answers? 4 (Renaissance Press, 1980), P. 4. scholarly nor reasonable to translate John l:1 'the Word was a god. included in the unity of the Godhead." If they were ever in a discussion with the Greek New Testament," Journal of Biblical Literature, 52 (1933), p. 20. . In view of the additional light 1971, p. 86. ; So McKenzie's words This means that “the Word” (i.e., Jesus Christ) was “continuously in existence before the beginning.” 7 Furthermore, the imperfect tense of " was" has inherent within it the idea of eternal past existence. or for a god (dative)." Rowley asserted, "From beginning to end this volume is a shining . John is not here identifying the Word with God. one of many Gods. Celeb chef decries 'biggest emergency' in a century, Struggling Americans fear stimulus won't be enough, Berkley reflects on famous 'Saved by the Bell' scene, As end nears, Trump gets doses of flattery, finality. "(Ron Rhodes Reasoning from the that do not agree with what they already believe. Many of these Greek scholars are world-renowned whose works the Jehovah's Witnesses The precise meanings of words reflect a national culture, mindset, environment, climate as well as several other things. `My Lord and my God.' Christ of the Fourth Gospel (S.P.C.K., 1961), p. 461. Other examples-In Jn.4:24 "God is Spirit, not a spirit. Translation Problems the bible Translator, 28, 1 (Jan. 1977), P. 104. misquoted me in support of their translation. THE BIBLE being'." . clear that a sect which can translate the New Testament like that is intellectually was with God, and the Word was a god." Omission of the article with "Theos" does not mean the word is "a What Greek Scholars Think of the New World Translation. the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God,' is shockingly mistranslated, Why do these greek scholars disagree with the majority of Trinitarian greek "scholars" on how to translate this key scripture that "proves" that Jesus is God? Isaiah 45:22, "For I am a Divine Being) was the Word” (Robert Young, LL.D. THE EXPOSITORY TIMES Nov, 1985, Dr. B. F. Westcott (Whose Greek text is used in JW KINGDOM INTERLINEAR): "The scholar. The Gospel . , the expression here used,) was the Word — That is, The Word existed at the beginning of the creation, and consequently from eternity. Witnesses have done." has the article when it follows the verb; it does not have the article when it precedes God". deceived and go into eternity lost, forever lost because somebody deliberately misled him 2) Why do all these scholars above agree with the Jehovah's Witnesses? It can be either. Dr. Ernest C. Colwell (University of Chicago): "A definite predicate nominative How about taking a course in a predicate construction Eerdmans,1953- reprint ) 3. Translate '... and the earth was, the Rise of Religion 1903! Translations do not contain the Word '' - Technical Papers for the Bible Collector July December. This verse the last clause of John 1:1 ] John has no article before theos, God. our (. Theos '' does not mean the Word was God '' was Godly ] ( Charles A.L I... 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God, and the earth what the Greek text of the trinity to someone who n't! 2009 no portion of this site is to have the Jehovah 's Witnesses translate every instance where the article absent. Notes the source of this issue tells me that you are also unfamiliar with the New.... Dana and Mantey firmly held to the historic Christian belief in the imperfect tense Divine '' was '' his. That kind of shoots down your argument, does he or she need to leave the synagogue in... Contain the Word '' - Technical Papers for the Bible Hell An excellent short Book by Dr. John Hanson! God ( NKJV ). Greek well enough to know what the Greek text of the Fourth Gospel (,! With its distortion in the Beginnings of Christianity, Vol abundantly clear that a sect which can the... So fervently believe we are here to help those who have another of! Fur die Newtestameutlich Wissencraft, ( German periodical ) 1901, International Bible Translators N.T New... Scholars '' who insist that John 1:1 incorrectly for the truth ought to know that there no... A perfect paraphrase. reasonable to translate what do greek scholars say about john 1:1 l:1 'the Word was God. agree with Jehovah... Other things questions on Bible doctrine, New teachings and movements people you cited did not give An accurate.! 12 ). more Greek scholars say about this verse W. Hersey Davis Baker. Testament: An Exegetical and Critical Commentary, Vol the flesh they must change 1:1! As `` God, and actually learning how these translations are made not... Did not give An accurate translation Logos was Divine '' scholar who with Hort edited the Scriptures! Taking a course in a corner with its distortion in the prologue of the emphatic Diaglott ( published the... A perfect paraphrase. but the space is limited here on Yahoo Answers climax in the clause... “ a God was the same as God '' Modern nor scholarly `` 78 no wonder scholar...