On the translation of I John 2:23...?

Question

I have been told that the latter half of the verse "[but] he that hath acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also" is not in the original manuscripts and was added. Most translations, in fact, add it in. What's the story?

My question may appear trivial to some, since the second half seems merely reciprocal of the first. Suffice it to say that it matters to me. Thanks!

Some very helpful answers are popping up. Thanks!!!

As for the Bible's irrelevency towards human conduct, you must be a very strong and self-sufficient man. Survival in a world which ignored the most basic of Biblical principles -- the 10 Commandments -- would be a tad dangerous. Self-preservation is relevant, I hope?

The Bible has far more to offer than tips on human conduct. If you knew your New Testament, you'd recognize the secondary role human conduct portrays; salvation from your own destructive tendency is the protagonist here.

Used to convey deeper truths, conduct elucidates the wounds of humanity so that it might recognize a need for help. After this, conduct merely melts into the scenery.

Cheers!

Answer 1

Nestle's Greek New Testament includes it. Another Greek New Testament I have also includes it (prepared for the American Bible Society, 3rd Edition, 1976) I don't see any variations in other manuscripts for this verse.

Answer 2

KJV
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

ASV
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

LITV(Literal translation)
Everyone denying the Son does not have the Father. The one confessing the Son also has the Father.

There are three versions who have it. If someone tells you it was added later, ask for evidence. And from what I can read from the Greek, it says it also.

Answer 3

HOW TO KNOW THE ANTICHRIST

KJV Bible 1611 CE
1John 2:22; Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is the antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Amplified Bible 1958 to 1987 CE
1 John 2:23;
No one who [ habitually ] denies ( disowns ) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has ) the Son has the Father also.

KJV Bible 1611 CE
1John 2:23;
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [ but ] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

John 17:3;
This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Amplified Bible
John 17:3;
And this is eternal life: [ it means ] to know ( to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand ) You, the only true and real God, and [ likewise ] to know him, Jesus [ as the ] Christ ( the anointed One, the Messiah ), Whom you have sent.

Answer 4

Its shown in the King James in italics-which means the translators added it for clarification. However, they felt they had reason to add it.
Modern translations have it in standard print.

The deepest I can go here is to say that some commentaries just say "...some manuscripts omit this verse".

My best guess with my limited knowledge is that in some manuscripts it may have been left out by mistake. I trust the modern translations. Modern translators had far more copies of manuscripts to work with plus they had computers to search with.

Answer 5

You are going to have to go back 2000 years, 6 different languages and 500 translations to even discover if it was written in the first place or just something some one made up. It may be important to you, but in this reality it just doesn't exist.

Answer 6

Many things in the bible that we have today were deleted & inserted. It's just a man-made book , so don't worry too much abut it. It's basically irrelevant to human conduct.

Answer 7

Jesus is God- once again, a scripture to prove it. Those who believe in Jesus also have God- because God is Jesus- as John 1:1 says God became flesh.

Answer 8

Your'e right, it was added many , many years later..why?...who know's.