1 Corinthians 8:5

3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that ^aan idol is nothing in the world, ^band that there is no other God but one.

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

6 yet ^afor us there is one God, the Father, ^bof whom are all things, and we for Him; and ^cone Lord Jesus Christ, ^dthrough whom are all things, and ^ethrough whom we live.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, ^awith consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is ^bdefiled.

8 But ^afood does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9 But ^abeware lest somehow this liberty of yours become ^ba stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not ^athe conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?

11 And ^abecause of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But ^awhen you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

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What Does 1 Corinthians 8:5 Mean?

Paul acknowledges that there are gods many, and lords many, yet in verse 6 declares, "But to us there is but one God." This suggests God has some competition and is not alone among the gods, a truth also seen in Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalm 86:8, 97:9, and 135:5.

1 Corinthians 8:5

"There are gods many, and lords many." In verse 6, Paul says, "But to us there is but one God." It seems Paul is saying that God has some competition, that He is not alone among the gods. This is also seen in Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 86:8; 97:9; 135:5.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Nature of God: Elohim

1 Corinthians 8:4-5

God wants us to worship Him directly—not through an idol. When we set up an idol, we are in fact sacrificing to one or more demons! God wants us to worship Him humbly rather than the way the world worships idols. It is degrading to worship an idol. Conversely, God calls us into His own spiritual presence to worship Him directly. Whenever we stop short of our face-to-face relationship and worship of our sovereign God by placing a visible entity before Him, we break the second commandment. God looks to those who worship Him in humility and respectful fear and despises those who choose their own ways.

Martin G. Collins
The Second Commandment

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Notice that no mention is made of clean or unclean. Paul is speaking of clean meats offered to idols, for some of the pagan deities were offered bullocks, sheep, goats, chickens, doves, and other clean animals, the remainder of which would be offered for sale in the market. His main subject is not clean and unclean, but being sensitive to a brother's conscience.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Clean and Unclean Meats

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing 1 Corinthians 8:5:

Amos 4:2
John 1:13
Romans 14:14
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
2 Corinthians 4:4
Galatians 4:8
Galatians 4:8
2 Thessalonians 2:4

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1 Corinthians 8:6 >>

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What Does 1 Corinthians 8:5 Mean?

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