Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 8:5

"For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;" — 1 Corinthians 8:5 (ASV)

That are called gods. Gods so called. The heathens everywhere worshipped multitudes and gave them the name of gods.

Whether in heaven. Residing in heaven, as some of the gods were believed to do. Perhaps there may be an allusion here to the sun, moon, and stars; but I rather suppose that reference is made to the celestial deities, or to those who were believed to reside in heaven, though they were believed to occasionally visit the earth, such as Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, etc.

Or in earth. Upon the earth; or those that reigned particularly over the earth or sea, such as Ceres, Neptune, etc. The ancient heathens worshipped some gods that were believed to dwell in heaven, others that were believed to reside on earth, and others that presided over the lower regions, such as Pluto, etc.

As there be gods many, (wsper), etc. As there are, in fact, many that are so called or regarded. It is a fact that the heathens worship many whom they esteem to be gods, or whom they regard as such. This cannot be an admission by Paul that they were truly gods and should be worshipped; rather, it is a declaration that they esteemed them to be such, or that a large number of imaginary beings were thus adored.

The emphasis should be placed on the word "many." The design of the parenthesis is to show that the number of these beings that were worshipped was not small but immense. They were in fact worshipped as gods and allowed to have the influence over their minds and lives that they would have if they were real.

That is, the effect of this popular belief was to produce just as much fear, alarm, superstition, and corruption as if these imaginary gods had a real existence. So, although the more intelligent of the heathen put no confidence in them, the effect on the great mass was the same as if they had had a real existence and exerted a real control over them.

And lords many, (kurioi polloi)—those who had a rule over them, to whom they submitted, and whose laws they obeyed. This name lord was often given to their idol gods. Thus, among the nations of Canaan, their idols were called by the Hebrew name (Baal, or lord), the tutelary god of the Phoenicians and Syrians (Judges 8:33; 9:4, 46).

The term is used here with reference to the idols and means that the laws that they were believed to have given regarding their worship had control over the minds of their worshippers.