1 Corinthians 8:4 Meaning and Explanation
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Returning to the question, Paul affirms that an idol has no real existence and that there is only one God.
What Does 1 Corinthians 8:4 Mean?
Now Paul states the doctrinal ground the Corinthians already accepted: an idol represents nothing real, and there is but one God. The carved image of a false deity has no true being behind it, so the food itself is not contaminated by a rival power.
This confession of the one God is the bedrock of faith. Because God alone is real and supreme, the believer need not fear that idol-meat carries any spiritual taint. Yet Paul raises this truth not to end the matter but to prepare a deeper lesson: being theologically correct does not by itself settle how love should act toward a weaker conscience.
1 Corinthians 8:4 in the Original Language
eidolon (εἴδωλον), 'idol' -- an image of a false god, treated as having no real being behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 8:4
What does 1 Corinthians 8:4 mean?
Returning to the question, Paul affirms that an idol has no real existence and that there is only one God.