How do we know that the Bible’s message has been accurately preserved? What strengthens our trust in God’s Word? Why is it important now more than ever to be convinced that God’s “word is truth”?
TEXTUAL STUDIES: Manuscripts of the Bible
Unlock the secrets of the Bible's past with this article. Dive deep into the historical analysis of the Bible's manuscripts to gain a new understanding of the accuracy and authenticity of the texts we hold sacred today. From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Codex Vaticanus, this article will challenge your perceptions and deepen your knowledge of the Bible's transmission, corruption, and restoration through time.
PAPYRUS 30 (P30) P. Oxy. 1598 Dating to about 200-250 A.D.
Uncover what was truly written in the early Christian church with Papyrus 30. This ancient manuscript, dating back to 200-250 A.D., contains a portion of the Pauline epistles and is considered to be one of the most reliable early copies of the New Testament. Discover the importance of Papyrus 30 in the study of early Christianity and the establishment of the original readings in the New Testament text. Buy out a few minutes to read this short article and delve into the history of this significant text.
NTTC JAMES 4:13: “We will” or “We could”?
There is a textual issue with the passage, which concerns a difference in verb tense between the majority of manuscripts and several early manuscripts (𝔓74 𝔓100 א) B. The majority of manuscripts use the aorist subjunctive, while (𝔓74 𝔓100 א) B uses the future indicative.
MATTHEW 19:9: Is “and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery” an Interpolation?
Textual scholar Philip W. Comfort is below in detail, but in short he argues that “and the one marrying the divorced woman commits adultery” is the original wording. This is found in (𝔓25 B C* W Z), as well as 078 Maj, but omitted in א L. He feels that the textual evidence supports the inclusion of the clause, even though it is suspected of having been borrowed from Matthew 5:32. Is he correct?
The Original Text Contains Matthew 9:34 According to the Earliest Manuscripts
The original text contains Matthew 9:34, according to the earliest and most trusted manuscripts (א B C L W). However, it is omitted in (D ita,d,k syr Hilary). Numerous scholars say that this is an assimilation to Matthew 12:24 and the parallel account in Luke 11:15.
Matthew 21:44 Is Included in WH NU But Is Bracketed to Show Doubts About It Being a part of the Original
This verse is included in WH NU but is bracketed to signal the editors’ doubts about it being a part of Matthew’s original composition. The inclusion of the verse has good documentary support, the kind that would usually affirm legitimacy for most textual variants.
Luke 24:12 Is Included In Very Early Trusted and Diverse Manuscripts
Luke 24:12 is included in very early trusted and diverse manuscripts (𝔓75 א B W Δ 070 079 syrc,s cop A L Θ Ψ f,1,13) Maj. However, it is omitted from (D it). WH contended that it is a consolidated insertion from John 20:3-10. However, the scribe of 𝔓75 seldom inserted from distant parallels, and the scribe of B did so only periodically.
Luke 24:40 Is Included In Very Early Trusted and Diverse Manuscripts
Westcott and Hort (1882, 72) considered the longer text to be a scribal interpolation (see note on 24:3) borrowed from John 20:20. But Luke and John seemed to have used many of the same sources for their resurrection narratives; thus, this verbal equivalence is not unusual.
NTTC MATTHEW 12:47: Who Removed Matthew 12:47 From the Bible?
There can only be one reading, which is the original reading. The reading that the other reading(s) most likely came from is likely the original. This is the fundamental principle of textual criticism.