1 Corinthians 8 4

1 Corinthians 8:4 kjv

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:4 nkjv

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:4 niv

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that "An idol is nothing at all in the world" and that "There is no God but one."

1 Corinthians 8:4 esv

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."

1 Corinthians 8:4 nlt

So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.

1 Corinthians 8 verses

1 Corinthians 8 4 Meaning

The singular truth acknowledged is that God is one. This affirms monotheism, the foundational belief of Judaism and Christianity, distinguishing it from the polytheism prevalent in the surrounding cultures. This single God is the source of all existence and the ultimate reality.

1 Corinthians 8 4 Context

This verse is part of a larger discussion in 1 Corinthians chapter 8 concerning food sacrificed to idols. The Corinthian believers were struggling with whether it was permissible for them, as Christians, to eat meat that had been offered to idols, as it was common in pagan culture. Paul is addressing the issue of "knowledge" puffing up, contrasting it with love. He first establishes that an idol is nothing, having no real existence. Therefore, eating meat sacrificed to an idol is not intrinsically harmful. However, he cautions that some believers, with weaker consciences, might still be offended by this practice, linking it to the pagan worship. This verse provides the foundational theological principle for the entire argument: the absolute sovereignty and unity of the one true God, which underpins all reality and ethics.

1 Corinthians 8 4 Word analysis

• οἶδαμεν (oidamen): "We know." First-person plural, present active indicative of the verb oida (to know). It denotes certain, firm knowledge, not mere opinion. Paul states this as a shared, foundational truth held by believers.
• ὅτι (hoti): "that." A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause.
• εἷς (heis): "one." Masculine nominative singular of the cardinal number heis. It is used emphatically here to stress singularity.
• θεὸς (theos): "God." Masculine nominative singular. Refers to the supreme being, the Creator and Sustainer.
• καὶ (kai): "and." Conjunction.
• εἷς (heis): "one." Repeated for emphasis on the singular nature.
• κύριος (kyrios): "Lord." Masculine nominative singular. Used interchangeably with theos in the Old Testament, and here refers to the supreme ruler, particularly the Father. This term often carried connotations of lordship and authority in both Jewish and Gentile contexts, but Paul applies it exclusively to the one true God.
• εἰσὶν (eisin): "there are" or "are." Third-person plural, present active indicative of the verb eimi (to be). It asserts existence or state.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "οἶδαμεν ὅτι εἷς θεός" (oidamen hoti heis theos): "We know that one God." This directly affirms monotheism, a core tenet against polytheistic Roman and Greek backgrounds and idolatry. This knowledge is certain and foundational for believers.
• "καὶ εἷς κύριος, εἰσὶν" (kai heis kyrios, eisin): "and one Lord, there are." This emphasizes that the Father is the singular Lord over all creation. It establishes the supreme authority of God.

1 Corinthians 8 4 Bonus section

The phrase "one God and one Lord" draws heavily from Jewish monotheism, particularly the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one," Deut 6:4). In the first century, Jewish believers understood this rigorously as strict monotheism. The concept of "one Lord" also points to the divine identity of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, although in this specific verse, in the context of identifying the singular source of all, Paul is emphasizing the Father's unique role as the ultimate origin. Later verses will explore Christ's mediation. The stark contrast here is with the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods and "lords" (e.g., emperors deified or divine rulers) that the Corinthians were accustomed to. Paul's assertion of "one God and one Lord" immediately counters this religious landscape. This truth implies that anything designated as "lord" apart from this singular God and Lord is, in effect, meaningless or demonic from a divine perspective.

1 Corinthians 8 4 Commentary

The essential truth for believers is that there is only one God, who is also the one Lord. This is not a novel concept but the foundational confession of Israel inherited by Christianity. While other religions acknowledged many gods and lords, and pagan Corinthians participated in cults with numerous deities and exalted rulers, Paul firmly anchors the believer's understanding in the absolute unity of God. This singular God, the Father, is the ultimate source of all things, including Christ and the Holy Spirit. Understanding this fundamental truth provides the necessary perspective to discern that idols have no reality, and thus, eating meat offered to them is not compromising belief in the true God. However, this knowledge must be tempered with love for weaker brethren, who may perceive such acts as a communion with demons. The verse serves as the theological bedrock, grounding Christian identity and ethics in the unparalleled sovereignty of the one God.