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Verse Takeaways
1
Gods in Name, Not Reality
Commentators agree that when Paul mentions 'gods many, and lords many,' he is referring to what pagans call gods, not affirming their actual existence. These 'so-called' deities could be anything from celestial bodies and deified emperors to animals and statues. They possess a title but lack the reality of the one true God.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
18th Century
Theologian
That are called gods. Gods so called. The heathens everywhere worshipped multitudes and gave them the name of gods.
Whether in …
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
For though there be (κα γαρ ειπερ εισ). Literally, "For even if indeed there are" (a concessive clause, condition of first class, …
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
19th Century
Bishop
For though there be. . . .—This is a hypothetical argument. 'Be' is the emphatic word of the supposition. Even assuming that those…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
Paul grants for argument that there are “so-called gods” in heaven and earth, such as those the pagans recognized in Greek and Roman mythology. He …
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
16th Century
Theologian
For though there be that are called—"They have," he says, "the name, but the reality is lacking." He uses the word called here to…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 8:5
17th Century
Pastor
For though there are that are called gods That are so by name, though not by nature; who are called so in Scripture, as a…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 8:1–6
17th Century
Minister
There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think …