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 if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 4Therefore, concerning the eating of 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 indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 7However, not all people have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, 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

• For evenκαίkai · andG2532
• ifεἴπερei per · if so/sinceG1512
• there are so-calledλέγωlegō · to say: callG3004
• godsθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• in heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• on earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
• as indeedὥσπερhōsper · just asG5618
• there are manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• lordsκύριοςkurios · lord: masterG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 8:5

• Deuteronomy 10:17For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.
• Jeremiah 2:11Has a nation changed gods, When they were not gods? But My people have exchanged their glory For that which is of no benefit.
• Jeremiah 11:13For your gods are as many as your cities, Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars for burning incense to Baal.
• Daniel 5:4They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
• John 10:34Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law: ‘I said, you are gods’?
• Galatians 4:8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are not gods.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being 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