Correction; Apologies to Bruce Metzger

An erroneous statement in a previous blog post HERE has been called to my attention, where I state “...Bruce Metzger claimed that the pericope was not referenced by any church father prior to the 12th century!” Actually what he says is that it was not so referenced by any Greek church father (A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, 2nd ed., pages 187-88):

“In the East the passage is absent from the oldest form of the Syriac version (syr^c.s and the best manuscripts of syr^p), as well as from the Sahidic and the sub-Achmimic versions and the older Bohairic manuscripts. Some Armenian manuscripts and the Old Georgian version omit it. In the West the passage is absent from the Gothic version and from several Old Latin manuscripts (it^a.l.q). No Greek Church Father prior to Euthymius Zigabenus (twelfth century) comments on the passage, and Euthymius declares that the accurate copies of the Gospel do not contain it.”

Finding out you're wrong

"If our views are correct, we need not fear when they are examined and scrutinized in the most exacting manner using the highest possible standards. Let them be tested. It will do them no harm. If such examination finds error in our beliefs, thank God for it! We should be happy to be instructed in the way of God 'more perfectly'. To learn of my errors today means I am wiser than yesterday!" -- Bill Lee, Director of the Baptist Standard Bearer, in "To Our Readers", The Baptist History Collection CD-Rom, 2005

BTW, The Baptist History Collection is a great value buy for those interested in Baptist history. Check it out at The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc.