1 Corinthians 8:5

1 Corinthians 8:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
• New International Version (NIV)For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),
• English Standard Version (ESV)For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
• New King James Version (NKJV)For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

Context of 1 Corinthians 8:5

3But the one who loves God is known by God. 4So 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. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. 7But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:5 word by word

καὶ γὰρ εἴπερ εἰσὶν λεγόμενοι θεοὶ εἴτε ἐν οὐρανῷ εἴτε ἐπὶ γῆς, ὥσπερ εἰσὶν θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κύριοι πολλοί·Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• ifεἴπερei per · if so/sinceG1512
• there areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• so-calledλέγωlegō · to say: callG3004
• godsθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
• asὥσπερhōsper · just asG5618
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• lordsκύριοςkurios · lord: masterG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 8:5

• Deuteronomy 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.
• Jeremiah 2:11Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.
• Jeremiah 11:13Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’
• Daniel 5:4As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
• John 10:34Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?
• Galatians 4:8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 8:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5There be that are called gods - There are many images that are supposed to be representations of divinities: but these divinities are nothing, the figments of mere fancy; and these images have no corresponding realities. Whether in heaven or in earth - As the sun, moon, planets, stars, the ocean, rivers, trees, etc. And thus there are, nominally, gods many, and lords many.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5That are called gods - Gods so called. The pagans everywhere worshipped multitudes, and gave to them the name of gods. Whether in heaven - Residing in heaven, as a part of the gods were supposed to do. Perhaps, there may be allusion here to the sun, moon, and stars; but I rather suppose that reference is made to the celestial deities, or to those who were supposed to reside in heaven, though they were supposed occasionally to visit the earth, as Jupiter…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-6In reality, the idols to which such meat is sacrificed are not gods, because there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 10:19–20). He is the Creator of everything, including the meat being sacrificed for the idols. The only ultimate reality is God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created (see also John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. "For even supposing there are (exist) gods so called (2Th 2:4), whether in heaven (as the sun, moon, and stars) or in earth (as deified kings, beasts, &c.), as there be (a recognized fact, De 10:17; Psa 135:5; 136:2) gods many and lords many." Angels and men in authority are termed gods in Scripture, as exercising a divinely delegated power under God (compare Ex 22:9, with Ex 22:28; Psa 82:1, 6; Joh 10:34, 35).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 8:5

• Fraternity
• God Continued...
• Idolatry
• Polytheism

In the dictionaries

• Charity
• Commend
• Offend
• Perish
• Touching
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Food
• Gods
• Jude, the Epistle of
• Mediation; Mediator

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings