1 Corinthians 8:5 BSB

1 Corinthians 8:5

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

KJV

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

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Commentary

3 voices

Tertullian

Against Marcion Book V (220)

Assuredly also, when (the apostle) rules that marriage should be "only in the Lord," that no Christian should intermarry with a heathen, he maintains a law of the Creator, who everywhere prohibits marriage with strangers. But when he says, "although there be that are called gods, whether in l heaven or in earth," the meaning of his words is clear-not as if there were gods in reality, but as if there were some who are called gods, without being truly so.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He tells them that upon supposition that it were lawful in itself to eat of things offered to idols (for that they themselves are nothing), yet regard must be had to the weakness of Christian brethren, and nothing done that would lay a stumbling block before them, and occasion their sin and destruction,

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

That 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.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

19 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
καὶ	kai	Even	G2532 →
γὰρ	gar	truly	G1063 →
εἴπερ	eiper	if indeed	G1487 →G4007 →
εἰσὶν	eisin	there are	G1510 →
λεγόμενοι	legomenoi	[those] named	G3004 →
θεοὶ	theoi	gods	G2316 →
εἴτε	eite	whether	G1535 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
οὐρανῷ	ouranō	heaven	G3772 →
εἴτε	eite	or	G1535 →
ἐπὶ	epi	on	G1909 →
γῆς,	gēs	earth,	G1093 →
ὥσπερ	hōsper	as	G5618 →
εἰσὶν	eisin	there are	G1510 →
θεοὶ	theoi	gods	G2316 →
πολλοὶ	polloi	many	G4183 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
κύριοι	kurioi	lords	G2962 →
πολλοί·	polloi	many;	G4183 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Deuteronomy 10:17
For 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.
leads to
- Acts 10:34
  Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
- Romans 2:11
  For God does not show favoritism.
- Daniel 2:47
  The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
- Nehemiah 9:32
  So now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God who keeps His gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders,…
- Job 34:19
  who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
Through
2 Thessalonians 2:4
He 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.
leads to
- Ezekiel 28:2
  “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of…
- Daniel 7:25
  He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for…
Through
Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
leads to
- 1 Corinthians 8:4
  So 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.

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Food Offered to Idols, MannaFest

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The Trinity

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About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 8 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 8 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Corinthians