Commentaries:
"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
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
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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