the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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Tyndale New Testament
1 Corinthians 8:5
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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.
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
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,
For and if indeed there are [those] called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;"
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,
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--
For though there bee that are called gods, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many:)
For even if some are called gods, either in the heavens or on the earth; (even as there are many gods, and many lords);
And though there be that are called goddes, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be goddes many and lordes many)
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;
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" --
For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are many gods, and many lords;
For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many)
for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth -- as there are gods many and lords many --
Even though there are things called gods, in heaven or on earth (and there are many "gods" and "lords"),
If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),
Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords.
For even if there are so-called "gods," either in heaven or on earth — as in fact there are "gods" and "lords" galore —
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
For though there bee that are called gods, whether in heauen, or in earth (as there be many gods, and many lords)
For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or earth, just as there are many gods and many lords,
For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on eretz; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;"
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]
For there are also who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as that there are gods many and lords many:
For although there are what are called gods, whether in heaven, or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
Men have thought there are many such gods and lords in the sky and on the earth.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—
For, if indeed there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, - as indeed there are gods many and lords many,
For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
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,
And though there be that are called gods, whether in heauen or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lordes many:)
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.
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
Even if there are so-called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these "gods" and "lords,"
For thouy ther ben summe that ben seid goddis, ethir in heuene, ether in erthe, as ther ben many goddis, and many lordis;
Contextual Overview
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
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.
