1 Corinthians 8:5

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while clarifying their position on eating food sacrificed to idols. He formulates this clause as a concession to their cultural reality before establishing exclusive monotheism.

The words — The Greek phrase λεγόμενοι θεοὶ (legomenoi theoi) literally means "so-called gods" or "named deities." The text explicitly acknowledges the existence of these cultural figures without validating their divine status.

The thread — This acknowledgment runs parallel to Galatians 4:8’s description of former slavery to "those who by nature are not gods" and echoes Jeremiah 2:28’s challenge to self-made deities. It also anticipates the contrast with 2 Thessalonians 2:4 regarding every so-called object of worship.

Why it lands — The verse requires readers to separate cultural belief from theological fact. It demands that knowledge of Christian truth govern decisions without dismissing the actual beliefs of others.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

Cross-references

Jeremiah 2:28 But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.
Galatians 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.
Jeremiah 2:11 Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.
Jeremiah 11:13 Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’
Daniel 5:4 As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
John 10:34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?