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1 Corinthians 8

1 Cor. 8:4 KJV (With Strong’s)

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4
As concerning
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
peri (Greek #4012)
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)
KJV usage: (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).
Pronounce: per-ee'
Origin: from the base of 4008
therefore
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
the eating
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
brosis (Greek #1035)
(abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: eating, food, meat.
Pronounce: bro'-sis
Origin: from the base of 977
of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols
eidolothuton (Greek #1494)
an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering
KJV usage: (meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to (unto) idols.
Pronounce: i-do-loth'-oo-ton
Origin: neuter of a compound of 1497 and a presumed derivative of 2380
, we know
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
that
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
an idol
eidolon (Greek #1497)
an image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such
KJV usage: idol.
Pronounce: i'-do-lon
Origin: from 1491
c is nothing
oudeis (Greek #3762)
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
KJV usage: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
Pronounce: oo-dice'
Origin: οὐδεμία (oo-dem-ee'-ah), and neuter οὐδέν (oo-den') from 3761 and 1520
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: 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.
Pronounce: en
Origin: 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 1519 and 1537)
the world
kosmos (Greek #2889)
orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
KJV usage: adorning, world.
Pronounce: kos'-mos
Origin: probably from the base of 2865
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
that
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
there is none
oudeis (Greek #3762)
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
KJV usage: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
Pronounce: oo-dice'
Origin: οὐδεμία (oo-dem-ee'-ah), and neuter οὐδέν (oo-den') from 3761 and 1520
other
heteros (Greek #2087)
(an-, the) other or different
KJV usage: altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
Pronounce: het'-er-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
e God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
but
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
one
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
heis (Greek #1520)
a primary numeral; one
KJV usage: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.
Pronounce: hice
Origin: (including the neuter (etc.) ἕν)
.
c
Isa. 41:24• 24Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. (Isa. 41:24)
e
Deut. 4:39• 39Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut. 4:39)
;
Isa. 44:8,24• 8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
 24Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isa. 44:8,24)

More on:

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God,
Idolatry,
Sacrifice,
The World

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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we know.
1 Cor. 10:19‑20• 19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (1 Cor. 10:19‑20)
;
Psa. 115:4‑8• 4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
 5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
 6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
 7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
 8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. (Psa. 115:4‑8)
;
Isa. 41:24• 24Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. (Isa. 41:24)
;
Isa. 44:8‑9• 8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
 9They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. (Isa. 44:8‑9)
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Jer. 10:14• 14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. (Jer. 10:14)
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Jer. 51:17‑18• 17Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
 18They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. (Jer. 51:17‑18)
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Hab. 2:19‑20• 19Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
 20But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Hab. 2:19‑20)
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Acts 19:26• 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: (Acts 19:26)
there is.
1 Cor. 8:6• 6But 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. (1 Cor. 8:6)
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Deut. 3:24• 24O Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? (Deut. 3:24)
;
Deut. 4:39• 39Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut. 4:39)
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Deut. 6:4• 4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: (Deut. 6:4)
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Deut. 32:39• 39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deut. 32:39)
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Isa. 37:16,20• 16O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
 20Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou only. (Isa. 37:16,20)
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Isa. 44:6,8,24• 6Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
 8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
 24Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isa. 44:6,8,24)
;
Isa. 45:5,14• 5I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
 14Thus saith the Lord, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God. (Isa. 45:5,14)
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Jer. 10:10• 10But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. (Jer. 10:10)
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Mark 12:29• 29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: (Mark 12:29)
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Eph. 4:6• 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph. 4:6)
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1 Tim. 1:17• 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim. 1:17)
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1 Tim. 2:5• 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Tim. 2:5)
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Jude 25• 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 25)
• There were no such beings as they associated with their idols. Later on he shows there were demons behind, as indeed the law intimated. (Deut. 32:17). (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 8” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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4
—concerning then the eating of things sacrificed to idols, wea know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God save one.

JND Translation Notes

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a
Two Greek words are used for "to know" in the New Testament -- ginosko and oida. The former signifies objective knowledge, what a man has learned or acquired. The English expression "being acquainted with" perhaps conveys the meaning. Oida conveys the thought of what is inward, the inward consciousness in the mind, intuitive knowledge not immediately derived from what is external. The difference between the two words is illustrated in John 8.55, "ye know (ginosko) him not; but I know (oida) him"; in John 13.7, "What I do thou dost not know (oida) now, but thou shalt know (ginosko) hereafter"; and in Heb. 8.11, "they shall not teach ... saying, Know (ginosko) the Lord; because all shall know (oida) me." The word oida is used of Christ as knowing the Father, and as knowing the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, of Paul's knowledge of a "man in Christ," and of the Christian's knowledge that he has eternal life. "I know whom I have believed," 2 Tim. 1.12 -- I have the inward conscious knowledge of who the person is. see also 1 Cor. 16.15; 2 Tim. 3.14 and 15 -- all of these refer to inward conscious knowledge. The difference between the significance of the two words is often slight; and objective knowledge may pass into conscious knowledge, but not vice versa. The Greek for conscience is derived from oida. see ch. 4.4, "I am conscious of nothing in myself," that is, not conscious of any fault. In the present passage, "We know that an idol is nothing" is conscious knowledge. "we all have knowledge" and "knowledge puffs up" is objective knowledge. "If any one think he knows (conscious knowledge), he knows (objectively) nothing yet as he ought to know it (objectively)." "he is known (objectively) of him," so "knowledge," ver. 10.

W. Kelly Translation

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4
Concerning the eating, then, of the things sacrificed to idols, we know that [there isa] no idol in [the] world, and that [there is] no Godb save one.

WK Translation Notes

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a
It would seem also that the parallelism in the last clause of verse 4 favours the translating as "there is no idol," rather than, "an idol is nothing in the world," though in itself equally legitimate. It is quite true that the idols of the Gentiles are vanities and impotence; but here the apostle appears to affirm that they had no existence in the world. There were no such beings as they associated with their idols. Later on he shows there were demons behind, as indeed the law intimated.
b
"Other" is not in many MSS.