I am excited to announce that we are now taking orders for P66/Bodmer II facsimile. This is the earliest manuscript of John 1 that we know of. It is a great piece to have with so much essential theology. The first line reads, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and God was the word” (my translation). Dating to A.D. 200, what a great witness to the eternal nature of Jesus Christ and his distinction from and unity with the Father.
Also, don’t forget to check out P52.
4 replies to "P66: New Manuscript Facsimile Available at Our Store"
“…and God was the word”? Why do you translate it so?
I think you mean “line” rather than “time.” (conjectural emendation)
Peter, because that is the way it is structure in the Greek. Most don’t keep it such because it means the same the other way, “the Word was God.” It really makes little difference. No difference in meaning.
The reason we translate it “the Word was God” is because of the presence of the definite article connected with logos. This makes logos the subject in the sentence and the absence of an article with theos, or anarthorus construction, gives the sense of quality or nature. And the Word was God…the Word was as to His nature Deity.