What about textual variants?
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory, and the honor, forever and ever. Amen.”
Beautiful words, and is in the Bible, but it likely wasn’t a part of the Lord’s Prayer.
The primary textual variants of the New Testament are differences in the manuscript copies of the New Testament writings. These variations arose as the New Testament was copied and recopied over centuries before the invention of the printing press. Most of these variants are minor, such as differences in spelling, word order, or the presence of a word or phrase. However, some are more significant.
Here are a few notable examples:
The Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7-8): This is one of the most famous textual variants. In some late manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate, a phrase is included which appears to be a clear reference to the Trinity. However, this phrase is absent in the earliest Greek manuscripts and most modern translations omit it, considering it a later addition.
The Long Ending of Mark (Mark 16:9-20): The earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark end at 16:8. However, later manuscripts include additional verses (9-20), which narrate post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and his ascension. These verses are included in many translations with a note about their absence in the earliest manuscripts.
The Pericope Adulterae (John 7:53-8:11): This passage, which includes the story of the woman caught in adultery, is not found in the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of John. It is widely believed by scholars to have been a later addition, though it is retained in many modern translations with a note about its textual history.
The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43-44): Some early manuscripts omit the verses in Luke’s Gospel that describe Jesus sweating blood during his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This variant is noteworthy due to its theological implications regarding the nature of Jesus’ suffering.
Doxology of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:13): The phrase "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." at the end of the Lord's Prayer is absent in the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew but appears in later manuscripts.
These variants are of interest not only for textual criticism but also for theological discussions. For example, the understanding of scripture's inspiration and authority accounts for the existence of such variants, emphasizing the reliability and preservation of the core message of the Bible throughout its transmission history.
Main Point: to grasp the Word of God is to first grasp something theologically — not philosophically or evidentially. The Bible is true because it is the word of He who is Truth — not because we’ve examined it and found it to be true. An important distinction.
Beginning with this truth first, the study of these variants can contribute to a deeper understanding of the textual history of the New Testament and the processes of its transmission and translation. In doing so, we marvel at the great care and wisdom of our God.
