1 Corinthians 8:5

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,)

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
It's really not important if there are things called gods in heaven or on earth—and there are many of these "gods" and "lords" out there.

Revised Standard Version
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" --

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And though ther be yt are called goddes whether in heven other in erth (as ther be goddes many and lordes many)

Hebrew Names Version
For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on eretz; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;"

International Standard Version
For even if there are "gods" in heaven and on earth (as indeed there are many so-called "gods" and "lords"),John 10:34;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

New Century Version
Even though there are things called gods, in heaven or on earth (and there are many "gods" and "lords"),

Update Bible Version
For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are many gods, and many lords;

Webster's Bible Translation
For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many)

English Standard Version
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—

World English Bible
For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;"

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there are many gods and many lords) Yet to us there is but one God,

Weymouth's New Testament
For if so-called gods do exist, either in Heaven or on earth--and in fact there are many such gods and many such lords--

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For thouy ther ben summe that ben seid goddis, ethir in heuene, ether in erthe, as ther ben many goddis, and many lordis;

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

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

Contemporary English Version
Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords.

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

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

Bible in Basic English
For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

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 —

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

Etheridge Translation
For there are also who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as that there are gods many and lords many:

Murdock Translation
For although there are what are called gods, whether in heaven, or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)

King James Version (1611)
For though there bee that are called gods, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many:)

New Living Translation
There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.

New Life Bible
Men have thought there are many such gods and lords in the sky and on the earth.

New Revised Standard
Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—

Geneva Bible (1587)
For though there bee that are called gods, whether in heauen, or in earth (as there be many gods, and many lords)

George Lamsa Translation
For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or earth, just as there are many gods and many lords,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, if indeed there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, - as indeed there are gods many and lords many,

Douay-Rheims Bible
For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And though there be that are called gods, whether in heauen or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lordes many:)

Good News Translation
Even if there are so-called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these "gods" and "lords,"

Christian Standard Bible®
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”—

Lexham English Bible
For even if after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many gods and many lords,

Literal Translation
For even if some are called gods, either in the heavens or on the earth; (even as there are many gods, and many lords);

Young's Literal Translation
for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth -- as there are gods many and lords many --

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And though there be that are called goddes, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be goddes many and lordes many)

Mace New Testament (1729)
for tho' there are several titular deities, both in heaven and on earth: such as the whole crowd of gods, and lords among the Gentiles;

New English Translation
If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

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

Simplified Cowboy Version
Who cares if someone says a rock or a stick is a god? You can call a horse a cow, but that don't make it true. People use the words "god" and "lord" all the time, but those are just made up words when used incorrectly.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

Legacy Standard Bible
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

Contextual Overview

⁴ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. ⁵ For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) ⁶ But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that: Deuteronomy 10:17, Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 2:28, Jeremiah 11:13, Daniel 5:4, John 10:34, John 10:35, Galatians 4:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:29 - General Judges 2:13 - served Judges 16:23 - Dagon Psalms 81:9 - There shall Acts 17:23 - devotions 2 Corinthians 3:3 - ministered Colossians 2:18 - worshipping 1 Timothy 4:1 - and doctrines

Cross-References

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For though there be that are called gods,.... 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 man's 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That are called gods - Gods so called. The pagans everywhere worshipped multitudes, and gave to them the name of gods.

Whether in heaven - Residing in heaven, as a part of the gods were supposed to do. Perhaps, there may be allusion here to the sun, moon, and stars; but I rather suppose that reference is made to the celestial deities, or to those who were supposed to reside in heaven, though they were supposed occasionally to visit the earth, as Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, etc.

Or in earth - Upon the earth; or that reigned particularly ever the earth, or sea, as Ceres, Neptune, etc. The ancient pagans worshipped some gods that were supposed to dwell in heaven; others that were supposed to reside on earth; and others that presided over the inferior regions, as Pluto, etc.

As there be gods many - ὥσπερ hōsper, etc. As there are, in fact, many which are so called or regarded. It is a fact that the pagans worship many whom they esteem to be gods, or whom they regard as such. This cannot be an admission of Paul that they were truly gods, and ought to he worshipped; but it is a declaration that they esteemed them to be such, or that a large number of imaginary beings were thus adored. The emphasis should be placed on the word “many;” and the design of the parenthesis is, to show that the number of these that were worshipped was not a few, but was immense; and that they were in fact worshipped as gods, and allowed to have the influence over their minds and lives which they would have if they were real; that is, that the effect of this popular belief was to produce just as much fear, alarm, superstition, and corruption, as though these imaginary gods had a real existence. So that though the more intelligent of the pagan put no confidence in them, yet the effect on the great mass was the same as if they had had a real existence, and exerted over them a real control.

And lords many - (κύριοι πολλοὶ kurioi polloi). Those who had a “rule” over them; to whom they submitted themselves; and whose laws they obeyed. This name “lord” was often given to their idol gods. Thus, among the nations of Canaan their idols was called בּצל Ba‛al, (“Baal, or lord”), the tutelary god of the Phoenicians and Syrians; Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4, Judges 9:46. It is used here with reference to the IdoLS, and means that the laws which they were supposed to give in regard to their worship had control over the minds of their worshippers.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 8:5. 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.