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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:4 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Co 8:4	Strong Concordance	As concerning [4012] therefore [3767] the eating [1035] of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols [1494], we know [1492] that [3754] an idol [1497] is nothing [3762] in [1722] the world [2889], and [2532] that [3754] there is none [3762] other [2087] God [2316] but [1508] one [1520].
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
As concerning, &c.--resuming the subject begun in Co1 8:1, "As touching," &c. idol is nothing--has no true being at all, the god it represents is not a living reality. This does not contradict Co1 10:20, which states that they who worship idols, worship devils; for here it is the GODS believed by the worshippers to be represented by the idols which are denied to have any existence, not the devils which really under the idols delude the worshippers. none other God--The oldest manuscripts omit the word "other"; which gives a clearer sense.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

As concerning, &c.--resuming the subject begun in Co1 8:1, "As touching," &c.

idol is nothing--has no true being at all, the god it represents is not a living reality. This does not contradict Co1 10:20, which states that they who worship idols, worship devils; for here it is the GODS believed by the worshippers to be represented by the idols which are denied to have any existence, not the devils which really under the idols delude the worshippers.

none other God--The oldest manuscripts omit the word "other"; which gives a clearer sense.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
As concerning therefore ... - The parenthesis closes with Co1 8:3. The apostle now proceeds to the real question in debate, and repeats in this verse the question, and the admission that all had knowledge. The admission that all had knowledge proceeds through Co1 8:4-6; and in Co1 8:7 he gives the answer to it. In Co1 8:4-6 everything is admitted by Paul which they asked in regard to the real extent of their knowledge on this subject; and in Co1 8:7 he shows that even on the ground of this admission, the conclusion would not follow that it was right to partake of the food offered in sacrifice in the temple of an idol. The eating of those things ... - Whether it is right to eat them. Here the question is varied somewhat from what it was in Co1 8:1, but substantially the same inquiry is stated. The question was, whether it was right for Christians to eat the meat of animals that had been slain in sacrifice to idols. We know - Co1 8:1. We Corinthians know; and Paul seems fully to admit that they had all the knowledge which they claimed, Co1 8:7. But his object was to show that even admitting that, it would not follow that it would be right to partake of that meat. It is well to bear in mind that the object of their statement in regard to knowledge was, to show that there could be no impropriety in partaking of the food. This argument the apostle answers in Co1 8:7. That an idol is nothing - Is not the true God; is not a proper object of worship. We are not so stupid as to suppose that the block of wood, or the carved image, or the chiseled marble is a real intelligence and is conscious and capable of receiving worship, or benefiting its volaries. We fully admit, and know, that the whole thing is delusive; and there can be no danger that, by partaking of the food offered in sacrifice to them, we should ever be brought to a belief of the stupendous falsehood that they are true objects of worship, or to deny the true God. There is no doubt that the more intelligent pagan had this knowledge; and doubtless nearly all Christians possessed it, though a few who had been educated in the grosser views of paganism might still have regarded the idol with a superstitious reverence, For whatever might have been the knowledge of statesmen and philosophers on the subject, it was still doubtless true that the great mass of the pagan world did regard the dumb idols as the proper objects of worship, and supposed that they were inhabited by invisible spirits - the gods. For purposes of state, and policy, and imposition, the lawgivers and priests of the pagan world were careful to cherish this delusion; see Co1 8:7. Is nothing - Is delusive; is imaginary. There may have been a reference here to the name of an idol among the Hebrews. They called idols אלילים 'ĕlı̂yliym (Elilim), or in the singular אליל 'ĕlı̂yl (Elil}}, vain, null, nothingworth, nothingness, vanity, weakness, etc.; indicating their vanity and powerlessness; Lev 26:1; Ch1 16:26; Isa 2:8; Isa 10:10; Isa 19:11, Isa 19:13, Isa 19:20; Isa 31:7; Psa 90:5; Eze 30:13; Hab 2:18; Zac 11:17, etc. In the world - It is nothing at all; it has no power over the world; no real existence anywhere. There are no such gods as the pagans pretend to worship. There is but one God; and that fact is known to us all. The phrase "in the world" seems to be added by way of emphasis, to show the utter nothingness of idols; to explain in the most emphatic manner the belief that they had no real existence. And that there is none other God but one - This was a great cardinal truth of religion; see the note at Mar 12:29; compare Deu 6:4-5. To keep this great truth in mind was the grand object of the Jewish economy; and this was so plain, and important, that the Corinthians supposed that it must be admitted by all. Even though they should partake of the meat that was offered in sacrifice to idols, yet they supposed it was not possible that any of them could forget the great cardinal truth that there was but one God.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

As concerning therefore ... - The parenthesis closes with Co1 8:3. The apostle now proceeds to the real question in debate, and repeats in this verse the question, and the admission that all had knowledge. The admission that all had knowledge proceeds through Co1 8:4-6; and in Co1 8:7 he gives the answer to it. In Co1 8:4-6 everything is admitted by Paul which they asked in regard to the real extent of their knowledge on this subject; and in Co1 8:7 he shows that even on the ground of this admission, the conclusion would not follow that it was right to partake of the food offered in sacrifice in the temple of an idol.

The eating of those things ... - Whether it is right to eat them. Here the question is varied somewhat from what it was in Co1 8:1, but substantially the same inquiry is stated. The question was, whether it was right for Christians to eat the meat of animals that had been slain in sacrifice to idols.

We know - Co1 8:1. We Corinthians know; and Paul seems fully to admit that they had all the knowledge which they claimed, Co1 8:7. But his object was to show that even admitting that, it would not follow that it would be right to partake of that meat. It is well to bear in mind that the object of their statement in regard to knowledge was, to show that there could be no impropriety in partaking of the food. This argument the apostle answers in Co1 8:7.

That an idol is nothing - Is not the true God; is not a proper object of worship. We are not so stupid as to suppose that the block of wood, or the carved image, or the chiseled marble is a real intelligence and is conscious and capable of receiving worship, or benefiting its volaries. We fully admit, and know, that the whole thing is delusive; and there can be no danger that, by partaking of the food offered in sacrifice to them, we should ever be brought to a belief of the stupendous falsehood that they are true objects of worship, or to deny the true God. There is no doubt that the more intelligent pagan had this knowledge; and doubtless nearly all Christians possessed it, though a few who had been educated in the grosser views of paganism might still have regarded the idol with a superstitious reverence, For whatever might have been the knowledge of statesmen and philosophers on the subject, it was still doubtless true that the great mass of the pagan world did regard the dumb idols as the proper objects of worship, and supposed that they were inhabited by invisible spirits - the gods. For purposes of state, and policy, and imposition, the lawgivers and priests of the pagan world were careful to cherish this delusion; see Co1 8:7.

Is nothing - Is delusive; is imaginary. There may have been a reference here to the name of an idol among the Hebrews. They called idols אלילים 'ĕlı̂yliym (Elilim), or in the singular אליל 'ĕlı̂yl (Elil}}, vain, null, nothingworth, nothingness, vanity, weakness, etc.; indicating their vanity and powerlessness; Lev 26:1; Ch1 16:26; Isa 2:8; Isa 10:10; Isa 19:11, Isa 19:13, Isa 19:20; Isa 31:7; Psa 90:5; Eze 30:13; Hab 2:18; Zac 11:17, etc.

In the world - It is nothing at all; it has no power over the world; no real existence anywhere. There are no such gods as the pagans pretend to worship. There is but one God; and that fact is known to us all. The phrase "in the world" seems to be added by way of emphasis, to show the utter nothingness of idols; to explain in the most emphatic manner the belief that they had no real existence.

And that there is none other God but one - This was a great cardinal truth of religion; see the note at Mar 12:29; compare Deu 6:4-5. To keep this great truth in mind was the grand object of the Jewish economy; and this was so plain, and important, that the Corinthians supposed that it must be admitted by all. Even though they should partake of the meat that was offered in sacrifice to idols, yet they supposed it was not possible that any of them could forget the great cardinal truth that there was but one God.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
We know that an idol is nothing - A mere nominal god, having no divinity, virtue, or power.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Things that are offered in sacrifice - See on the first verse, (Co1 8:1 (note)). An idol is nothing in the world - Dr. Lightfoot translates this, We know that there is no idol in the world; which he explains thus: Ειδωλον, idol, is ὁμοιωμα, εικων, σημειον, χαρακτηριον, σκιοειδες, a likeness, an image, a sign, a character, a shadow: now ουδεν ειδωλον signifies there is no idol, no representation of God, in the world. Images there are of stone, wood and metal; but none of these is any representation of the infinite Spirit. But I prefer the meaning given in the note on Co1 8:1; (Co1 8:1 (note)) as the expression, an idol is nothing in the world, was common in the Old Testament, and among the Jews; and was understood by them in this way: they are not אלהים Elohim, the true God; but they are אלילים, nothings, and הבלים habalim, Vanity.

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²⁰ But [235] I say, that [3754] the things which [3739] the Gentiles [1484] sacrifice [2380], they sacrifice [2380] to devils [1140], and [2532] not [3756] to God [2316]: and [1161] I would [2309] not [3756] that ye [5209] should have [1096] fellowship [2844] with devils [1140].

¹ Now [1161] as touching [4012] things offered unto idols [1494], we know [1492] that [3754] we all [3956] have [2192] knowledge [1108]. Knowledge [1108] puffeth up [5448], but [1161] charity [26] edifieth [3618].

⁴ Hear [08085], O Israel [03478]: The LORD [03068] our God [0430] is one [0259] LORD [03068]:
⁵ And thou shalt love [0157] the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315], and with all thy might [03966].

²⁹ And [1161] Jesus [2424] answered [611] him [846], The [3754] first [4413] of all [3956] the commandments [1785] is, Hear [191], O Israel [2474]; The Lord [2962] our [2257] God [2316] is [2076] one [1520] Lord [2962]:

¹⁷ Woe [01945] to the idol [0457] shepherd [07473] that leaveth [05800] the flock [06629]! the sword [02719] shall be upon his arm [02220], and upon his right [03225] eye [05869]: his arm [02220] shall be clean [03001] dried up [03001], and his right [03225] eye [05869] shall be utterly [03543] darkened [03543].

¹⁸ What profiteth [03276] the graven image [06459] that the maker [03335] thereof hath graven [06458] it; the molten image [04541], and a teacher [03384] of lies [08267], that the maker [03335] of his work [03336] trusteth [0982] therein, to make [06213] dumb [0483] idols [0457]?

¹³ Thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; I will also destroy [06] the idols [01544], and I will cause their images [0457] to cease [07673] out of Noph [05297]; and there shall be no more a prince [05387] of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714]: and I will put [05414] a fear [03374] in the land [0776] of Egypt [04714].

⁵ Thou carriest them away as with a flood [02229]; they are as a sleep [08142]: in the morning [01242] they are like grass [02682] which groweth up [02498].

⁷ For in that day [03117] every man [0376] shall cast away [03988] his idols [0457] of silver [03701], and his idols [0457] of gold [02091], which your own hands [03027] have made [06213] unto you for a sin [02399].

²⁰ And it shall be for a sign [0226] and for a witness [05707] unto the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] in the land [0776] of Egypt [04714]: for they shall cry [06817] unto the LORD [03068] because [06440] of the oppressors [03905], and he shall send [07971] them a saviour [03467], and a great one [07227], and he shall deliver [05337] them.

¹³ The princes [08269] of Zoan [06814] are become fools [02973], the princes [08269] of Noph [05297] are deceived [05377]; they have also seduced [08582] Egypt [04714], even they that are the stay [06438] of the tribes [07626] thereof.

¹¹ Surely the princes [08269] of Zoan [06814] are fools [0191], the counsel [06098] of the wise [02450] counsellors [03289] of Pharaoh [06547] is become brutish [01197]: how say [0559] ye unto Pharaoh [06547], I am the son [01121] of the wise [02450], the son [01121] of ancient [06924] kings [04428]?

¹⁰ As my hand [03027] hath found [04672] the kingdoms [04467] of the idols [0457], and whose graven images [06456] did excel them of Jerusalem [03389] and of Samaria [08111];

⁸ Their land [0776] also is full [04390] of idols [0457]; they worship [07812] the work [04639] of their own hands [03027], that which their own fingers [0676] have made [06213]:

²⁶ For all the gods [0430] of the people [05971] are idols [0457]: but the LORD [03068] made [06213] the heavens [08064].

¹ Ye shall make [06213] you no idols [0457] nor graven image [06459], neither rear you up [06965] a standing image [04676], neither shall ye set up [05414] any image [04906] of stone [068] in your land [0776], to bow down [07812] unto it: for I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430].

⁷ Howbeit [235] there is not [3756] in [1722] every man [3956] that knowledge [1108]: for [1161] some [5100] with conscience [4893] of the idol [1497] unto [2193] this hour [737] eat [2068] it as [5613] a thing offered unto an idol [1494]; and [2532] their [846] conscience [4893] being [5607] weak [772] is defiled [3435].

⁴ As concerning [4012] therefore [3767] the eating [1035] of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols [1494], we know [1492] that [3754] an idol [1497] is nothing [3762] in [1722] the world [2889], and [2532] that [3754] there is none [3762] other [2087] God [2316] but [1508] one [1520].
⁵ For [1063] though [1512] [2532] there be [1526] that are called [3004] gods [2316], whether [1535] in [1722] heaven [3772] or [1535] in [1909] earth [1093], (as [5618] there be [1526] gods [2316] many [4183], and [2532] lords [2962] many [4183],)
⁶ But [235] to us [2254] there is but one [1520] God [2316], the Father [3962], of [1537] whom [3739] are all things [3956], and [2532] we [2249] in [1519] him [846]; and [2532] one [1520] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], by [1223] whom [3739] are all things [3956], and [2532] we [2249] by [1223] him [846].

³ But [1161] if any man [1536] love [25] God [2316], the same [3778] is known [1097] of [5259] him [846].