Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:5

What does 1 Corinthians 8:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 8:5 means

Paul concedes the cultural landscape: in heaven and on earth people speak of many “gods” and “lords.” Titles abound, temples multiply, and devotion is scattered among various deities. Yet these are only so-called gods; they do not overturn the truth he has stated. By acknowledging the environment, Paul shows he is not naïve about the pressures believers face. The confessions and ceremonies of the city are loud and persuasive, but they rest on falsehood. Recognizing the world’s claims prepares Christians to answer them, not by arrogance, but by a steady confession of the living God who alone deserves worship and allegiance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth--as there are gods many and lords many--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For and if indeed there are [those] calledgods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there aregods many, and lords many,)

Context

This verse bridges between the declaration that idols are nothing (v. 4) and the Christian confession in v. 6. Paul notes the real social and religious situation the Corinthians inhabit—many deities are named and honored. He neither panics nor compromises. Instead, he uses this survey to highlight the distinctiveness of the Christian creed that follows. Verse 6 will sharpen the contrast by naming the one God and the one Lord, and this theological center will then regulate how liberty is handled in the presence of weaker believers (vv. 7–13).

v.4Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.

v.5This passage

v.6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 5:4

    They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

  • John 10:34

    Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

  • Deuteronomy 10:17

    For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.

  • Galatians 4:8

    Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:

  • Jeremiah 11:13

    For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

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