The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 8:5 Explained

1 Corinthians 8:5

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

YLT: for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth -- as there are gods many and lords many --

Darby: For and if indeed there are those called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)

ASV: For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Corinthians 8:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Nevertheless for many people, the pagans and even Christians who do not have a correct concept of deity, there are many beings they regard as gods and lords over various areas of life. The Greeks applied the term "gods" to their traditional deities and the term "lords" to the deities of their mystery cults. [1]

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 - Consideration For Others' Weakness
It was the heathen custom of the time to present for blessing in the idol temples the food that was sold and bought in public marketplaces. A grave question arose, therefore, as to whether the Christian convert might partake of such food without blame. Paul took a broad and common-sense view of the situation. He declared there is only one God and that an idol is an absolute nonentity. Therefore it was a matter of perfect indifference what the heathen butchers might have done before they exposed their meat for sale. At the same time if some weaker brother were really thrown back in his Christian life by seeing his fellow-believer eating in a heathen temple, that in itself would at once be a sufficient reason why the stronger should abstain for the weaker brother's sake. There are many things which, so far as we personally are concerned, we might feel free to do or permit, but which we must avoid if they threaten to hinder the practice or divert the course of some fellow-Christian. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 8

1  To abstain from food offered to idols
8  We must not abuse our Christian liberty, to the offense of our brothers;
11  but must bridle our knowledge with charity

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 8:5

For though there be [και γαρ ειπερ εισι]
Literally, “For even if indeed there are” (a concessive clause, condition of first class, assumed to be true for argument‘s sake). [source]
Called gods [λεγομενοι τεοι]
So-called gods, reputed gods. Paul denied really the existence of these so-called gods and held that those who worshipped idols (non-entities) in reality worshipped demons or evil spirits, agents of Satan (1 Corinthians 10:19-21). [source]
Gods - lords []
Superhuman beings to whom these titles are given, as Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; John 14:30. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 8:5

Romans 3:30 If so be that God is one [ειπερ εις ο τεος]
Correct text rather than επειπερ — epeiper It means “if on the whole.” “By a species of rhetorical politeness it is used of that about which there is no doubt” (Thayer. Cf. 1 Corinthians 8:5; 1 Corinthians 15:15; Romans 8:9. [source]
Galatians 4:8 By nature [φύσει]
Not denying their existence (comp. 1 Corinthians 8:5) but their deity. Emphasis on by nature. Comp. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
Galatians 4:8 To them which by nature are not gods [τοις πυσει μη ουσι τεοις]
In 1 Corinthians 10:20 he terms them “demons,” the “so-called gods” (1 Corinthians 8:5), worshipping images made by hands (Acts 17:29). [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is [εἴπερ]
More literally, if so be that. Confirming, in a hypothetical form, the assertion of God's judgment upon persecutors, 2 Thessalonians 1:5. It implies no doubt, but rhetorically puts a recognized fact as a supposition. So Romans 3:30; Romans 8:9, Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 8:5. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:4 He that opposeth and exalteth himself [ο αντικειμενος και υπεραιρομενος]
Like John‘s Antichrist this one opposes (αντι — anti̇) Christ and exalts himself (direct middle of υπεραιρω — huperairō old verb to lift oneself up above others, only here and 2 Corinthians 12:7 in N.T.), but not Satan, but an agent of Satan. This participial clause is in apposition with the two preceding phrases, the man of sin, the son of perdition. Note 1 Corinthians 8:5 about one called God and Acts 17:23 for σεβασμα — sebasma (from σεβαζομαι — sebazomai), object of worship, late word, in N.T. only in these two passages. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 8:5 mean?

Even truly if indeed there are [those] called gods whether in heaven or on earth as many and lords many
καὶ γὰρ εἴπερ εἰσὶν λεγόμενοι θεοὶ εἴτε ἐν οὐρανῷ εἴτε ἐπὶ γῆς ὥσπερ πολλοὶ καὶ κύριοι πολλοί

καὶ  Even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
γὰρ  truly 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: γάρ  
Sense: for.
εἴπερ  if  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: εἴπερ  
Sense: if indeed, since, if after all.
εἰσὶν  there  are 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
λεγόμενοι  [those]  called 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
θεοὶ  gods 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
εἴτε  whether 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: εἴτε  
Sense: if … if.
οὐρανῷ  heaven 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
πολλοὶ  many 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
κύριοι  lords 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
πολλοί  many 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.