1 Corinthians 8:6
What does 1 Corinthians 8:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 8:6 means
Paul sets forth the Christian confession: there is one God, the Father, from whom all things exist and for whom we live; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist and through whom we live. This is high Christology. Jesus is not a rival to the one God but the Lord through whom the Father brings creation and redemption. Believers belong to God and live through Christ’s mediation. This truth demolishes idolatry and frees the conscience from fear. It also points directly to Christ as the Lord we serve, shaping our behavior. Our liberty is therefore Christ-centered and Godward, never merely self-directed or detached from love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000yet 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901yet 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862yet to us <FI>is<Fi> one God, the Father, of whom <FI>are<Fi> the all things, and we to Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom <FI>are<Fi> the all things, and we through Him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890yet to us [there is] oneGod, the Father, of whom all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
Context
Following the acknowledgment of many so-called gods (v. 5), this verse gives the positive center of faith—one God and one Lord. It finalizes the theological groundwork for why idol food, in itself, has no spiritual power over Christians. With this robust confession in place, Paul turns in v. 7 to the pastoral fact that not all believers grasp or can handle these implications yet. The rest of the chapter applies this confession by urging restraint and care for weaker consciences so that Christ’s people are built up, not bruised.
v.5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
v.6This passage
v.7Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.
- Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
- John 14:20
In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
- Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:
- 1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- Matthew 11:27
All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
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