It has been claimed that what we have presented related to 1 Corinthians 8:6 contradicts the context of 1 Corinthians 8:6.
Please see our studies:
One God, One Lord
and
There is One God
We have pointed out that the "one God" of 1 Corinthians 8:6 is definitely the "God" of Israel spoken of in Deuteronomy 6:4. Some insist, however, that the "one Lord" of 1 Corinthians 8:6 is the "one Lord" of Deuteronomy 6:4. This, however, is based on a false rendering of the Holy Name as "the Lord" in many translations. There is no Hebrew word that means "Lord" in Deuteronomy 6:4. Deuteronomy 6:4 speaks of "one Jehovah", not "one Lord". Since God and Jehovah in Deuteronomy 6:4 refer to one person, one individual, we have no reason to imagine and assume that it is speaking of more than one person, nor is there anything in 1 Corinthians 8 that even hints of any idea that the "one Jehovah" of Deuteronomy 6:4 is also the "one Lord" of 1 Corinthians 8:6.
Let us look at the context:
1 Corinthians 8:1 - Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
Paul introduces what he is speaking of, and that is regarding things sacrificed to idols. Idols, of course, although many may refer to them as being "gods", are not actually gods, mighty ones. They have no might, no power, to either evil or to do good. -- Psalm 115:4-8; Habakkuk 2:10.
Paul was speaking of the effect that eating of food offered to idols may have on those who do not have the knowledge "that an idol is nothing in the world" (1 Corinthians 8:4) We know only one Supreme Being, and that one Supreme, Paul says, is the Father, of whom are the all (ta panta). (1 Corinthians 8:6) Paul speaks of those idols as being "called" gods -- mighty ones, but he also says there are gods many, and lord many. There are those false gods -- idols -- that are not real gods since they are by nature not gods, they have no might or power to do anything. (Deuteronomy 4:28; Psalm 115:4-7; 135:15,16; Isaiah 44:9; 45:20; 46:7; Jeremiah 10:3,9; Galatians 4:8) Having the knowledge that an idol is nothing, one may be emboldened by that knowledge to eat food that others have offered to an idol while ignoring the effect that this may have on those who do not have this knowledge, for it could lead the one lacking such knowledge to eat that which has been offered to an idol as an actual acknowledgment that it had been offered to the idol. Thus, Paul was cautioning about being puffed up, or emboldened, by the knowledge that an idol is nothing regarding how one should or should not eat of the food that has been offered to an idol, and why the law had been given to Israel regarding not eating food offered to an idol.
At any rate, it was in this context that in speaking of the one Supreme Being that Paul identified the Father as being that one Supreme Being. (1 Corinthians 8:6) He acknowledged Jesus as being "one Lord" through whom are all. At the same time, he acknowledged that there are many gods -- mighty ones -- and lord -- masters, aside from those falsely "called" gods (idols), and the "one lord" through whom is the all.
1 Corinthians 8:2 - If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
1 Corinthians 8:3 - but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
This is speaking of knowledge in reference to things sacrificed to idols, as he goes on to show.
1 Corinthians 8:4 - Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one.
Paul identifies the knowledge that he was speaking of, that is, as revealed in the Old Testament (Psalm 115:4-8; Isaiah 37:19; 44:9-19; Jeremiah 10:1-11:23); we know that an idol is nothing, having no power, etc. Many, however, he cautioned, could misuse this knowledgeand thus cause another to actually eat the food in honor of the idol.
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 (Complete Jewish Bible) - For even if there are so-called "gods," either in heaven or on earth - as in fact there are "gods" and "lords" galore.
Paul here speaks of three different groups, those that are (1) "so-called" gods, then (2) "gods" and (3) "lords."
We can definitely recognize the idols of the nations as being those that are "so-called" gods (mighty ones), since, not having any might or power, they are false gods. Many worship the sun, moon and stars of heaven, making idols of them and worshipping those idols, but none of these are actually mighty ones who have power to think, promise, and carry out those promises. Many make idols in the form of many things on earth and claim them to be their gods, mighty ones, etc.
Yet Paul speaks there being many gods. And the Bible speaks of many who are/were gods -- mighty ones -- to whom Jehovah has given or granted special power or authority, either directly or by allowance, such as Moses to Pharoah (Exodus 7:1), the sons of the Most High (Psalm 82:1,6; John 10:34-36), and the angels (Psalm 8:5; compare Hebrews 2:7), and others. -- 1 Samuel 28:13; Ezekiel 32:21; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
For an examination of the usage of EL, ELOHIM and THEOS in the Bible, one might see our study:
The Hebraic Usage of the Titles for "God"
Likewise, there are "many lords" that the Supreme Being has given or granted as having special authority over others.
1 Corinthians 8:6 - yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
The word "things" above is added by translators.
Although there are gods -- mighty ones -- and many that are falsely called gods -- idols -- there is to those who belong to Christ only "one God, the Father, of whom are all." This does correspond with God and the "one Jehovah" of Deuteronomy 6:4, although there is no indication here or anywhere else in 1 Corinthians 1:8 that this is specifically what Paul had in mind.
Although there are many lords -- masters, bosses, etc. -- there is to the Christian only "one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all."
It is the Lord Jehovah -- the "one God" of 1 Corinthians 8:6 -- who anointed and made Jesus "Lord" and "Christ" (Anointed One: the Anointed of Jehovah), thereby making Jesus the "one Lord" of the church; Jesus is the "one lord" through whom the Lord Jehovah performs His work. (Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:24; Daniel 7:14,27; Isaiah 9:7; 61:1; Matthew 11:27; 28:18; Luke 1:32,33; 10:22; John 3:35; 5:22-27; 10:11,16,29; 13:3; Acts 2:36; Acts 3:13-26; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:3,17-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Hebrews 1:1,2; 1 Peter 3:22). All of the other "many lords" do not have this position of being the "one Lord" through whom are all. Indeed, no one else in the universe holds this position of being the "one Lord" through whom are all. Even the "one God" of whom are all does not have this position of being the "one Lord" through whom are all. The "one Lord" of 1 Corinthians 8:6 definitely has nothing to do with Deuteronomy 6:4, since the one whom Jehovah anointed (made christ) and appointed as Lord is not mentioned in Deuteronomy 6:4
1 Corinthians 8:7 - Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Not all of Christ's followers have knowledge that an idol is nothing, and think of the idol as being something, and thus they may eat that which has been offered to an idol as as actually being a sacrifice to the idol.
1 Corinthians 8:8 - But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
The reality is that an idol is nothing. Eating to food offered to an idol does not give a better standing before God. If we do not eat, it does not bring anythng bad. If we do eat it does not make us better.
1 Corinthians 8:9 - But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:10 - For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
Paul continues to speak about offerings to idols. He continues to show how the knowledge that an idol is nothing could bring harm to others if we are not careful. If one who does not fully appreciate that an idol is nothing and sees you in a temple dedicated to an idol god eating food that had been offered to an idol, that one may be emboldened to think that the idol is something and thereby eat such food with the thought of eating it as an offering to the idol.
1 Corinthians 8:11 - Then the weak person, the brother for whom Christ died, is ruined (lost, corrupted) by your knowledge. -- Holman Christian Standard version.
Paul is still speaking of things offered to idols and of the knowledge that an idol is nothing. He demonstrates that such knowledge may defile the conscience of another Christian.
1 Corinthians 8:12 - And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
Here the apostle shows how eating a thing sacrificed to an idol -- even if we have knowledge that an idol is nothing -- could become a sin if it leads others to actually eat food as being sacrificed to an idol.
Ronald R. Day, Senior
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