Verse 6 Not by water only, &c. Water is the symbol of purification,--blood, that of an atonement. The meaning, therefore, is, that this is he who came not only to imbue the heart with future purity and holiness, but to atone for its sins. 1 John 5:7,8. Whether that portion of these two verses, beginning with the words in heaven, and ending with in earth, properly belongs here, has long been a subject of dispute. The controversy respecting the triune nature of the Godhead, arose in a very early period of the church, and it is supposed that, in the unhallowed heat of it, this passage was either inserted without authority in some copies, by one party, or omitted by the other. The reason for this supposition is, that the ancient manuscripts which have come down to us, disagree, the passage being found in some of them, while it was wanting in others. The preponderating sentiment among biblical scholars is against its genuineness.--Agree in one; agree in bearing witness to one,--that is, to Christ.