1 Corinthians 8:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So, as for eating food sacrificed to idols, we “know” that, as you say, “An idol has no real existence in the world, and there is only one God.”

Berean Standard Bible:

So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

As concerning^{G4012} therefore^{G3767} the eating^{G1035} of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols^{G1494}, we know^{G1492} that^{G3754} an idol^{G1497} is nothing^{G3762} in^{G1722} the world^{G2889}, and^{G2532} that^{G3754} there is none^{G3762} other^{G2087} God^{G2316} but^{G1508} one^{G1520}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 8:4

1 Corinthians 8:4 addresses a specific issue that was causing division within the early Christian community at Corinth. The verse is part of a larger discussion in which the Apostle Paul is responding to questions about the appropriateness of eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. In the polytheistic culture of Corinth, it was common for meat to be offered to various gods in pagan temples before being sold in the marketplace.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the tension between new Christian converts, some of whom had previously participated in pagan practices, and the broader Greco-Roman society. The key themes of the verse include the nature of idols and the affirmation of monotheism. Paul asserts that an idol is nothing in the world, emphasizing that idols do not represent true deities since there is only one God. This statement reflects the early Christian belief in the sovereignty and uniqueness of the Judeo-Christian God over all other claimed gods or idols.

Paul's declaration serves to reassure the Corinthian Christians that they are not partaking in anything inherently sinful by eating food sacrificed to idols, since the idols themselves are not real gods. However, he also cautions that this knowledge should not become a stumbling block for weaker believers who might be led into idolatry by observing others partake in such practices without understanding the true nature of idols. Thus, 1 Corinthians 8:4 is not only about theological correctness regarding idols but also about the pastoral concern for the conscience of fellow believers and the importance of acting in love to build up the community rather than causing others to fall.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1035
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βρῶσις
   Transliteration: brōsis
   Pronunciation: bro'-sis
   Description: from the base of βιβρώσκω; (abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively):--eating, food, meat.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1494
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰδωλόθυτον
   Transliteration: eidōlóthyton
   Pronunciation: i-do-loth'-oo-ton
   Description: neuter of a compound of εἴδωλον and a presumed derivative of θύω; an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering:--(meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to (unto) idols.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1497
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδωλον
   Transliteration: eídōlon
   Pronunciation: i'-do-lon
   Description: from εἶδος; an image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such:--idol.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3762
   There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐδείς
   Transliteration: oudeís
   Pronunciation: oo-den'
   Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2889
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κόσμος
    Transliteration: kósmos
    Pronunciation: kos'-mos
    Description: probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2087
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἕτερος
    Transliteration: héteros
    Pronunciation: het'-er-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
    
14. Strong's Number: G1508
    There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰ μή
    Transliteration: ei mḗ
    Pronunciation: i may
    Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1520
    There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἷς
    Transliteration: heîs
    Pronunciation: hice
    Description: a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also εἷς καθ’ εἷς, μηδείς, μία, οὐδείς.