Monday, March 8, 2010

How does the Coptic text render John 1:1?

"In the beginning existed the Word, and the Word existed with God, and the Word was a God." (The Coptic Gospel of John 1:1-14)

The Coptic language (unlike the Greek) used an indefinite article ("a" or "an" in English).

The Sahidic Coptic translation uses an indefinite article with the word 'god' in the final part of John 1:1 and when rendered into modern English, the translation reads: 'And the Word was a god.'

For more, see:
What is the Coptic Language and why is it important?

The Importance of the Sahidic Coptic Version

John 1:1 and the Coptic Versions

Coptic John 1:1

John 1:1c - English translation: "The Word was a god."

Is the New World Translation the only Bible to phrase John 1:1c as "the Word was A God"?

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