Section I:

A Note to the Reader: Anyone interested in the beginnings of the English Bible, its translators, and their attempts to reform both society and church, but not familiar with sixteenth-century English, may prefer to go immediately to Part II of this edition. The following is in process of revision for The Complete Controversial Works of William Tyndale, to be published by The Catholic University of America Press.

Tyndale and 1 John
This is the first critical edition of William Tyndale's The exposition of the fyrste Epistle of seynt Ihon with a Prologge before it. Tyndale's Exposition was published in Antwerp in 1531 about midway through the author's self-imposed exile from England. All the known copies of the 1531 edition have been collated, as well as copies of all the other sixteenth-century editions of the work. A full textual apparatus, together with a glossary, is provided. (If some of these terms are unfamiliar to the reader, just skip the text and go first to the Introduction, Part II of this edition.)

The introduction describes the various texts used and demonstrates Tyndale's independence both as theological commentator and translator. A careful study of the first editions of the Exposition published in England (1537 and 1538) reveals that Tyndale's work was revised, probably by one man, with a view to a more favorable reception of the work by government and church authorities, and by the ordinary reader. An examination of the edition of 1573 shows that although it was once considered as less authoritative it follows the text of Tyndale's original work quite closely.

The commentary attempts to elucidate the text where Tyndale's style might present difficulties for the modern reader. Historical references are explained and quotations or paraphrases of scripture are identified by chapter and verse. Where Tyndale's use of a word antedates the earliest listing in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) this is noted. The marginal glosses of the edition of 1573, originally included in this work, are omitted from this electronic edition.

Table of Contents

Donald J. Millus
Coastal Carolina University
May 20, 1997
E-Mail: Millus@Coastal.Edu

AN EDITION OF WILLIAM TYNDALE'S

EXPOSITION OF THE FYRSTE EPISTLE OF SEYNT IHON

BY

DONALD J. MILLUS

Copyright 1973

YALE UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

IN PROCESS OF REVISION, 1997,

FOR THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA PRESS

EDITION OF

THE COMPLETE CONTROVERSIAL WORKS OF

WILLIAM TYNDALE

In memory of Richard Sylvester,

scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend.