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The sum of the matter is this--That it is too late by 150 years to contend on the
negative side of the question. Prebendiary Scrivener assures us that in Feb. 7, 1861 he
actually discerned, still lingering, a faint trace of the diameter of the Theta which
Berriman in 1741 had seen so plainly. `I have examined Codex A at least twenty times
within as many years' (wrote Scrivener in 1874) `and seeing (as every one must) with my
own eyes, I have always felt convinced that it reads Theos'."
In addition to the testimony adduced by Dean Burgon we may add that of the more
recent photographs of the passage, in which the camera replaces not only the missing bar
in Theta, but also in several letters on either side, notably in the word eusebeian,
"godliness".
Without going further into the evidence for Theos (which nevertheless is open for all
interested students to examine, and is set out in full detail in Dean Burgon's reply to
Bishop Ellicott), we will be content to quote the Dean's summary.
With regard to the reading adopted by the R.V., he writes:
"This is not found in more than two copies of St. Paul's epistles, is not certainly
supported by a single version, and is not clearly advocated by a single Father.
Behold then the provision which the Author of Scripture has made for the effectual
conservation in its integrity of this portion of His written Word! Upwards of eighteen
hundred years have run their course since the Holy Ghost by His servant Paul, rehearsed
the `mystery of Godliness', declaring this to be the foundation fact, namely, that `God
was manifest in the flesh'. And lo, out of two hundred and fifty-four copies of St. Paul's
epistles, no less than two hundred and fifty-two are discovered to have preserved that
expression. Such consent amounts to unanimity, and unanimity in this subject matter, is
conclusive.
The copies of which we speak were produced in every part of ancient Christendom,
being derived in every instance from copies older than themselves . . . . . they have since
found their way, without design or contrivance, into the libraries of every country of
Europe, where, for hundreds of years they have been jealously guarded . . . . . For what
conceivable reason can this multitude of witnesses be supposed to have entered into a
united conspiracy to deceive mankind?"
The A.V. Greek text represents the reading of 289 Manuscripts, 3 Versions, and
upwards of 20 Greek fathers. With such overwhelming evidence before us, the reader
will understand why, in The Berean Expositor, we have consistently ignored the depraved
text adopted by the R.V. and have always quoted the A.V. rendering: "God manifest in
the flesh."
We must now pass on to another emendation, which, like that of I Tim. 3: 16, is
definitely opposed to the doctrine of the Deity of Christ.
In the R.V. of Rom. 9: 5 we find the following marginal note:
"Some modern interpreters place a full stop after flesh, and translate, He Who is God
over all be (is) blessed for ever: or, He Who is over all is God, blessed for ever. Others
punctuate, flesh, who is over all. God be (is) blessed for ever."