Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:5
Verse 5. There be that are called gods] There are many images that are supposed to be representations of divinities: but these divinities are nothing, the figments of mere fancy; and these images have no corresponding realities. Whether in heaven or in earth] As the sun, moon, planets, stars, the ocean, rivers, trees, &c. And thus there are, nominally, gods many, and lords many.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. For though there be that are called gods , etc.] 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 mans 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). Ver. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father , etc.] In this Christians and Jews agree with the best and wisest philosophers of the Gentiles, that there is but one God; which is clear from the perfections of God, as necessary existence, eternity, infinity, omnipotence, all-sufficiency, goodness, and perfection; from one first cause of all things; from the government of the world; and from the writings of the Old and New Testament: so that to us believers this point is out of all doubt; but who this one God is the Gentiles knew not, and the Jews are very ignorant of; but we Christians know him to be the Father; by whom meant either God essentially considered, the one God, Father, Son, and Spirit, called the Father, not in relation to any person in the Godhead, but in relation to the creatures: so this one God, Father, Son, and Spirit, is the Father of spirits, the creator of angels, and the souls of men, the God of all flesh, the Father of all the individuals of human nature, the Father or author of all the mercies and blessings the children of men enjoy. Or else personally considered, and so designs the first person in the Godhead, who is called so in relation to his Son, who is styled the only begotten of the Father: and when he is said to be the one God, it must be understood, not as exclusive of the Son and Spirit; for if the Son stands excluded in this clause from being the one God with the Father, by the same rule of interpretation, the Father, in the next clause must stand excluded from being the one Lord with Christ; but as dominion or lordship belongs to the Father, so deity to the Son, and also to the Spirit. Of whom are all things ; all created beings and things; angels are of him, are created by him, serve and worship him; devils are of him, and under him, and at his control, though they have rebelled against him; all mankind are of him, and are his offspring; the whole universe, the heavens, the earth, and seas, and all that in them are, are of him; all things in nature, providence, grace, and glory, come of him: he is the author of every mercy, temporal and spiritual. And we in him : or for him: as creatures we are not only made by him, but live in him, and are supported in him, and by him, and are created for his glory: though this seems rather to respect what believers are, as new creatures; they are in God; they are interested in him as their covenant God, and in his everlasting and immutable love; they are engraven on his hands, and set as a seal on his heart; they are into him, as it may be rendered; they are brought into nearness to him, and communion with him; and are for him, are chosen, redeemed, regenerated, and called for the glorifying of his grace, and to show forth his praise. And one Lord Jesus Christ ; so called, not to the exclusion of the Father and Spirit, but in opposition to the lords many before mentioned, and with respect to all his people. Christ is the one Lord of all, as he is God over all, the Creator and Former of all things; and he is so likewise as Mediator, having all power, dominion, and government put into his hands: he is, in a special sense, the one Lord of his people, and that by right of marriage to them; by right of redemption of them; through his being an head unto them, and King of them; and by a voluntary surrender of themselves to him, rejecting all other lords, as sin, Satan, and the world, who have formerly had dominion over them, they acknowledge him to be their one and only Lord: by whom are all things ; in nature; all the created beings of this, or the other world, whether visible or invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, are by him; no creature was made without him, and all by him; and all things in grace, our election, redemption, reconciliation, pardon, justification, and everlasting glory and happiness, And we by him ; we are redeemed by him from sin, Satan, the law, death, and hell; we are by him what we are, as Christians, as believers in him; by him, and from him, we have all the grace and the supplies of it we have; by him we have access to the Father, and fellowship with him; by him we are governed, influenced, protected, and preserved to his kingdom and glory; and by him we are, and shall be, saved with an everlasting salvation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - 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 wh think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likel to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders his confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. The heathens had gods of higher and lower degree; gods many and lords many; so called, but not such in truth. Christians know better. One God made all, and has power over all. The one God, even the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all religiou worship; and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel, God manifest in the flesh, One with the Father, and with us; the appointe Mediator, and Lord of all; through whom we come to the Father, an through whom the Father sends all blessings to us, by the influence an working of the Holy Spirit. While we refuse all worship to the many wh are called gods and lords, and to saints and angels, let us try whethe we really come to God by faith in Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ γαρ 1063 CONJ ειπερ 1512 COND εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P λεγομενοι 3004 5746 V-PPP-NPM θεοι 2316 N-NPM ειτε 1535 CONJ εν 1722 PREP ουρανω 3772 N-DSM ειτε 1535 CONJ επι 1909 PREP της 3588 T-GSF γης 1093 N-GSF ωσπερ 5618 ADV εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P θεοι 2316 N-NPM πολλοι 4183 A-NPM και 2532 CONJ κυριοι 2962 N-NPM πολλοι 4183 A-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Gods - lords. Superhuman beings to whom these titles are given, as Eph. vi. 12; 2 Cor. iv. 4; John xii. 31; xiv. 30.
