1 Corinthians 8:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

NIV: yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

NASB: yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

CSB: yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.

NLT: But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Paul has agreed with one statement made by the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 8:1) and now he agrees with another. In both cases, he opens a wider view to come to a better conclusion. The believers in Corinth seem to be arguing that because the many idols in Corinth are non-existent—because there is only one true God—they should be allowed to participate in the life of the city, even when it includes functions inside of idol temples and eating food offered to idols.

Paul has agreed that there are many "so-called" gods and lords (1 Corinthians 8:5). That is undeniable. He also agrees there is one true God. He will use this great truth, though, to eventually make the point that those who belong to the one true God should have nothing to do with any false gods.

For us, Paul writes, there is indeed one God. He is the Father. All things come from Him and we exist for Him. Also, there is only one Lord. He is Jesus Christ. All things exist through Him, including us. Paul's declaration of the one God and Lord as Father and Christ is masterful and clarifying. Together, both Father and Son exist as one in the Trinity with the Holy Spirit. They are distinct in their roles and functions and yet, mysteriously, still one.

Paul's main emphasis, though, is that Christians are from God, exist through our Lord, and exist for God. It is that very fact—that there is only one true God—to whom we are obligated that we should fully separate ourselves from even the most mundane contact with any idols or gods.

First Corinthians 8:1–13 begins Paul's longer response to the question of attending functions in idol temples or eating food offered to idols. This appears to blend Paul's own statements with references to the Corinthians' own remarks. It seems the Corinthians had previously written to Paul saying they are not ''worshiping'' the idols. They know idols don't really exist and that only God is real. Paul replies that the problem here is not lack of knowledge but lack of love. Some brothers and sisters in Christ cannot eat idol food with clear consciences. Those who are stronger risk leading those who are weaker into sin and, in that way, sinning themselves.

Paul responds to Corinthian objections about restrictions on eating in idol temples, or eating food offered to idols. Those were activities deeply integrated into everyday Corinthian society. Paul agrees that idols are nothing and food is only food. The problem is that some Christians from idol-worshiping backgrounds cannot eat idol food with a clear conscience. To do so is sin, for them. If those with stronger consciences—those who understand the truth better—lead their weaker brothers into sin, they themselves will also be guilty of sinning against their brothers and against Christ.

First Corinthians 8 begins Paul's response to another issue raised by the Corinthians. Earlier passages dealt with sexuality; this section discusses idolatry and food. Paul agrees that idols don't truly exist and only God is real. The problem is that some of the less-developed Christians aren't convinced of that. For those believers, they violate their consciences by eating idol food. Even if it's misguided, violating one's conscience is a sin (Romans 14:23). If those with stronger consciences lead these weaker brothers and sisters into sin, they will be guilty of sin themselves. Paul continues to balance liberty with care for others over the next chapters.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.