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 Living Translation (NLT)There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.

Context of 1 Corinthians 8:5

3But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4Therefore 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. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·καίkai · andG2532
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• thoughεἴπερei per · if so/sinceG1512
• there beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• that are calledλέγωlegō · to say: callG3004
• godsθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• earthὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• 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 God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
• Jeremiah 2:11Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.
• Jeremiah 11:13For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal.
• Daniel 5:4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
• John 10:34Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?
• Galatians 4:8But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is 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