1 Corinthians 8:5 kjv
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1 Corinthians 8:5 nkjv
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
1 Corinthians 8:5 niv
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"),
1 Corinthians 8:5 esv
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth ? as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" ?
1 Corinthians 8:5 nlt
There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
1 Corinthians 8 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 8:5 | Gods, heavens, earth, gods, lords | Unity of God |
| Deut 6:4 | Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. | Shema, oneness of God |
| Mark 12:29 | Jesus replied, "The first in importance is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.’" | Jesus affirms Shema |
| John 1:3 | Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. | Christ as Creator |
| John 13:13 | "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right to do so." | Christ's Lordship |
| Acts 17:24-25 | The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth... He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. | God as Creator and Sustainer |
| Romans 11:36 | For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. | All things from, through, and to God |
| 1 Cor 1:2 | To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. | Calling on Jesus' name |
| Eph 4:5-6 | one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all and in all. | Unity of faith and God |
| Col 1:15-17 | He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created... all things were created through him and for him. | Christ's preeminence as Creator |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, | Christ as mediator |
| Heb 1:1-3 | In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. | Christ as the final revelation |
| Rev 3:14 | "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation." | Christ as beginning of creation |
| 1 Chron 29:10-13 | Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. | God's sovereignty and kingship |
| Psa 24:1 | The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. | God's ownership of creation |
| Jer 10:10 | But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not abide his indignation. | The LORD as the true God |
| Mal 2:10 | Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers? | Unity of humanity from one Father |
| John 6:57 | Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will live because of me. | Christ living because of the Father |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Christ's exaltation and Lordship |
| 1 Cor 15:24-28 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says that "all things were subjected," it is clear that one who subjected all things to himself is excluded. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who subjected all things to himself, that God may be all in all. | Christ's ultimate submission to the Father |
| John 17:3 | Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. | Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ |
1 Corinthians 8 verses
1 Corinthians 8 5 Meaning
Even though there may be things called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and indeed there are many so-called gods and many lords, for us Christians, there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live. Likewise, there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 8 5 Context
1 Corinthians 8 addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols. Some believers in Corinth, newly converted from paganism, were troubled by this practice. They had participated in pagan feasts and ceremonies and were confused about whether eating this meat was spiritually harmful. Paul's overarching message in this chapter is to exercise Christian liberty with love and consideration for weaker brethren, ensuring that freedom in Christ does not become a stumbling block to others.
Verse 5, specifically, explains why Christians can eat such food, not by denying the existence of other "gods" or "lords" in a mythological sense, but by establishing the absolute singularity and sovereignty of the Christian God and Jesus Christ. This serves to counter any potential confusion that might arise from the widespread polytheistic beliefs of the Greco-Roman world where numerous deities were worshipped.
1 Corinthians 8 5 Word Analysis
- For (γαρ - gar): Introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
- There are (εἰσὶν - eisin): A form of the verb "to be," indicating existence.
- Those called (ὀνομαζόμενοι - onomazomenoi): Those who are named or designated as such.
- Gods (θεοὶ - theoi): Refers to deities, beings considered divine. This word is used in reference to the numerous gods worshipped in pagan cultures.
- Whether in heaven (εἴτε ἐν οὐρανῷ - eite en ouranō): Refers to celestial beings or deities believed to reside in the sky.
- Or on earth (εἴτε ἐπὶ γῆς - eite epi gēs): Refers to earthly deities or spirits associated with the earth.
- Since (ὥσπερ - hōsper): In the same way as; just as. Connects the acknowledgement of pagan gods to the specific Christian truth that follows.
- There are (εἰσὶν - eisin): Again, indicating existence.
- Many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Numerous.
- Gods (θεοί - theoi): Reiteration of the point about numerous deities.
- And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting two elements.
- Many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Numerous.
- Lords (κύριοι - kyrioi): Masters or rulers, applied to divine or authoritative figures. In the pagan context, this would refer to various figures in their pantheons.
- But (ἀλλά - alla): Introduces a strong contrast or exception.
- To us (ἡμῖν - hēmin): For Christians, referring to the believers to whom Paul is writing.
- One God (εἷς θεός - heis theos): The singular, absolute God of Christianity. This is a crucial statement of monotheism.
- The Father (ὁ πατήρ - ho patēr): Identifies this one God as the Father, emphasizing His paternal relationship and source.
- From whom (ἐξ οὗ - ex hou): Originates from Him, pointing to Him as the ultimate source of all.
- Are (εἰσὶν - eisin): Exist; come to be.
- All things (τὰ πάντα - ta panta): The entirety of creation; everything.
- And (καὶ - kai): Connects the two parts of the verse regarding God and Christ.
- For (εἰς - eis): Unto; towards; for the purpose of. This indicates that all things exist for God.
- Us (ἡμᾶς - hēmas): For our existence and purpose, linking God's purpose to the believers.
- One Lord (εἷς κύριος - heis kyrios): The singular Lord, Jesus Christ. Another foundational declaration of Christian belief.
- Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦς Χριστός - Iēsous Christos): The name and title of the central figure of Christianity.
- Through whom (δι' οὗ - di’ hou): By whom; by His agency. Christ is the mediator of creation.
- Are (εἰσὶν - eisin): Exist; come to be.
- All things (τὰ πάντα - ta panta): All creation.
- And (καὶ - kai): Connects Christ's role in creation to His role for us.
- For (εἰς - eis): Unto; towards; for the purpose of. All things exist for Christ's purpose.
- Us (ἡμᾶς - hēmas): For our redemption and new life.
Words-Group By Words-Group Analysis
- "many gods and many lords" vs. "one God, the Father": This directly confronts the Corinthian pagan environment filled with a pantheon of deities and emphasizes the radical monotheism of Christianity, distinct from the dualism or polytheism prevalent. It highlights that while others name numerous divine entities, for believers, the true reality is one God.
- "from whom" (from God) and "for whom" (for God): This pair signifies God as the origin and the ultimate goal of all creation. Everything proceeds from Him and is directed toward Him.
- "through whom" (through Christ) and "for whom" (for Christ): This pair establishes Christ's indispensable role as the agent of creation and also a focus of creation's purpose, mirroring and participating in the Father's ultimate purpose. It shows Christ's active involvement in and centrality to God's plan.
1 Corinthians 8 5 Bonus Section
The dual affirmation of "one God, the Father" and "one Lord, Jesus Christ" reflects an early Christian creedal statement, demonstrating the core tenets of their faith regarding God's singular nature and Christ's unique divine authority and function in creation and redemption. This concept of economia (God's arrangement of salvation) is present, showing the Father as the ultimate fountain and goal, with the Son as the mediator through whom all has its existence. The verse implicitly refutes the Gnostic ideas that might have been present in Corinth, which often posited lesser beings or intermediaries between the ultimate God and the material world, presenting a more complex and veiled divine reality. In contrast, Paul presents a starkly unified and transparent divine ordering. The Greek terms used for "God" (theos) and "Lord" (kyrios) were the standard terms for deity in both the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) and the Greco-Roman world, but their application here is exclusive to the Christian understanding of the Father and Jesus.
1 Corinthians 8 5 Commentary
The presence of "many gods and many lords" reflects the pagan reality, acknowledged but distinguished from the exclusive Christian truth. While others worship various deities, believers confess "one God, the Father." This highlights God's unique sovereignty as the unoriginated Source. Concurrently, the confession of "one Lord, Jesus Christ," establishes His unique mediating role as the agent through whom all creation exists and for whom all creation, particularly redeemed humanity, exists. This doctrine affirms both the unique deity of the Father and the unique mediatorial divinity and purpose of Christ. It underscores that Christian fellowship must be rooted in this singular truth, not compromised by adherence to pluralistic beliefs that deny these absolutes. Therefore, for the Corinthian believers, eating food offered to idols was not an issue of sharing in a pagan deity's fellowship, because from a Christian perspective, their focus was on the one true God and one true Lord, who are supreme over all other acknowledged but unreal entities.
Practical Application: This verse calls believers to understand the foundational exclusivity of Christian faith. In a world where various ideologies and spiritualities coexist, it reminds us that our worship and allegiance are to the triune God alone, not to be blended or confused with other systems.