For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
Parallel translations
- WEB For though there are things that are called “gods”, whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords”;
- BSB For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),
- NKJV For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
- NASB For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
- NLT There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Even though people speak of many so-called "gods" and "lords" in heaven and on earth, these are not gods in reality. Paganism's deities exist only as human inventions or demonic counterfeits.
Overview
Paul acknowledges the crowded religious landscape of the Greco-Roman world, full of supposed gods and lords. He grants that such beings are "called" gods but denies them true deity. Elsewhere he links idolatry to demonic reality (1 Cor 10:20), so these names are not empty in danger, yet they are nothing compared to the one true God. This sets up the great confession of the next verse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Jer 2:28But 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.
- 2 Th 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
- Gal 4:8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
- Jer 11:13For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
- Deut 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
- Jer 2:11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
- Dan 5:4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
- John 10:34–35Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
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Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 8:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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