1 Corinthians 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though the world names many so-called gods and lords, Paul acknowledges these titles only to set them aside.
What Does 1 Corinthians 8:5 Mean?
Paul concedes the obvious fact of the ancient world: people spoke of many gods in the heavens and many lords on the earth, and the temples of Corinth were full of them. He grants that such beings are widely so called, without granting that they hold the place of the true God.
This realism prepares the contrast of the next verse. The world may crowd itself with rival objects of worship, yet none of them is what they claim to be. The believer lives among many competing claims to ultimate allegiance, and Paul names them plainly so that the singular majesty of the one true God and one Lord may shine all the brighter against them.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 8:5
What does 1 Corinthians 8:5 mean?
Though the world names many so-called gods and lords, Paul acknowledges these titles only to set them aside.