“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 there are so-called 'gods,' whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ. — Paul acknowledges a complex cosmos: many beings are called gods and lords. The phrase 'as indeed there are many' suggests Paul grants the real existence of spiritual entities (demons? cf. 10:20), though they are false gods (pseudo-theoi). Against this plurality, Paul asserts henotheistic confession: one God (ho patēr) and one Lord (ho kyrios Iēsous Christos). This Christological monotheism is the believer's cognitive and worshipful stance.
Church Fathers on 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; 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.” Since he had said, that “an idol is nothing” and that “there is no other God;” and yet there were idols and there were those that were called gods; that he might not seem to be contradicting plain facts, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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