1 Corinthians 8:5

5 People may say that there are gods in heaven and on earth--many gods and many lords, as they would call them.

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 they love God, they are known by God.

4 Now about eating food that was offered to false gods: We know that the false gods in this world don't really exist and that no god exists except the one God.

5 People may say that there are gods in heaven and on earth--many gods and many lords, as they would call them.

6 But for us, "There is only one God, the Father. Everything came from him, and we live for him. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything came into being through him, and we live because of him."

7 But not everyone knows this. Some people are so used to worshiping false gods that they believe they are eating food offered to a false god. So they feel guilty because their conscience is weak.