1 Corinthians 8:5

5 Granted, there are so-called "gods," in heaven and on the earth, as there are many gods and many lords.

1 Corinthians 8:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 8:5

For though there be that are called gods
That are so by name, though not by nature; who are called so in Scripture, as angels and magistrates, or by men, who give them such names, and account them so:

whether in heaven;
as the sun, moon, and stars:

or in earth;
as men who formerly lived on earth; or various creatures on earth, who have been accounted deities; or stocks and stones graven by man's device:

as there be gods many:
almost without number, as were among the Egyptians, Grecians, Romans, and others; yea, even among the Jews, who falling into idolatry, their gods were according to the number of their cities, ( Jeremiah 2:28 )

and lords many;
referring to the Baalim, or the several idols that went by the name of Baal, or lord, as Baal Peor, ( Numbers 25:3 ) Baal Zephon, ( Exodus 14:2 ) Baal Zebub, ( 2 Kings 1:2 ) Baal Berith, ( Judges 8:33 ) .

1 Corinthians 8:5 In-Context

3 But if someone loves God, then they are known by God.

4 So concerning the actual food involved in these sacrifices to false gods, we know that a false god isn't anything in this world, and that there is no God except for the one God.

5 Granted, there are so-called "gods," in heaven and on the earth, as there are many gods and many lords.

6 However, for us believers, There is one God the Father. All things come from him, and we belong to him. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ. All things exist through him, and we live through him.

7 But not everybody knows this. Some are eating this food as though it really is food sacrificed to a real idol, because they were used to idol worship until now. Their conscience is weak because it has been damaged.