1 Corinthians 8:4

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

So then, concerning eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and there is no God but one.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Περὶ τῆς βρώσεως οὖν τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων, οἴδαμεν ὅτι οὐδὲν εἴδωλον ἐν κόσμῳ, καὶ ὅτι οὐδεὶς Θεὸς ἕτερος εἰ μὴ εἷς.

Transliteration

Peri the brōseōs oun of the eidōlothytōn, we oidamen that ouden eidōlon in kosmō, and that oudeis Theos heteros ei mē heis.

Grammar Details

• *Peri*: preposition + genitive - concerning/about
• *brōseōs*: genitive, feminine, singular - eating/food
• *oun*: inferential particle - therefore/then
• *eidōlothytōn*: genitive, neuter, plural - things sacrificed to idols
• *oidamen*: perfect, 1st plural, active - we know [with continuing results]
• *ouden*: nominative, neuter, singular - nothing/no
• *eidōlon*: nominative, neuter, singular - idol
• *kosmō*: dative, masculine, singular - world
• *oudeis*: nominative, masculine, singular - no one/none
• *Theos*: nominative, masculine, singular - God
• *heteros*: nominative, masculine, singular - other/another
• *ei* *mē*: conjunctive phrase - except/if not
• *heis*: nominative, masculine, singular, numeral - one

Word Meanings

• *brōseōs*: eating/food/consumption
• *eidōlothytōn*: idol sacrifices/food offered to idols
• *eidōlon*: idol/image/false god
• *kosmō*: world/universe/ordered system
• *heteros*: other/another/different

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Therefore, concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no {G2087} God but {G3361} one.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  To speake of meate dedicat vnto ydols we are sure that ther is none ydoll in the worlde and that ther is none other god but one.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  So are we sure now cocernynge the meates offred vnto Idols, that an Idoll is nothinge in the worlde, and that there is none other God but one.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed vnto idoles, we knowe that an idole is nothing in the worlde, and that there is none other God but one.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  As concerning the eating of those thinges that are offered vnto idols, we are sure that an idoll is nothing in the worlde, and that there is none other God but one.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Concerning the eating then of the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that an idol `is' nothing in the world, and that there is no other God except one;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that“an idol in this world is nothing,” and that“there is no God but one.”

Referenced Verses

• Deut 6:4 : 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
• Deut 4:39 : 39 So know today and take it to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
• Eph 4:6 : 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.
• 1 Tim 2:5 : 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
• Isa 41:24 : 24 Look, you are nothing, and your works are less than nothing; anyone who chooses you is an abomination.
• Isa 44:6 : 6 This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts, says: 'I am the first, and I am the last; apart from Me, there is no God.'
• Isa 44:24 : 24 This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: 'I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens by myself and spreads out the earth by my own hand.'
• Mark 12:29 : 29 Jesus answered, 'The most important is: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
• Acts 14:15 : 15 They cried out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are also humans with the same nature as you, proclaiming the good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.'
• Acts 19:26 : 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great number of people by saying that gods made by hands are not really gods.
• 1 Cor 8:1 : 1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
• 1 Cor 8:6-7 : 6 Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we exist; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made and through whom we live. 7 However, not everyone knows this. Some, being accustomed to idols until now, eat it as if it were truly food offered to an idol, and their weak conscience is defiled.
• 1 Cor 8:10 : 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in an idol's temple, won’t their weak conscience be emboldened to eat food sacrificed to idols?
• 1 Cor 10:19-20 : 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or that food sacrificed to idols is anything? 20 No, but what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to become participants with demons.
• Isa 45:5 : 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you do not acknowledge me.
• Isa 45:14 : 14 This is what the LORD says: The wealth of Egypt, the merchandise of Cush, and the tall Sabeans will come over to you and become yours. They will walk behind you, coming in chains. They will bow down to you and plead with you, saying, 'Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.'
• Jer 10:10 : 10 But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. When He is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure His wrath.
• Jer 10:14 : 14 Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by their idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
• Jer 51:17-18 : 17 Every human is senseless, lacking knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. 18 They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment, they will perish.
• Hab 2:19-20 : 19 Woe to him who says to wood, 'Awake!' or to silent stone, 'Arise!' Can it teach? Look, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath at all within it. 20 But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
• Isa 44:8-9 : 8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and declare it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides Me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. 9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses see nothing and know nothing, so they will be put to shame.
• Deut 3:24 : 24 ‘O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works You do?’
• Deut 4:35 : 35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.
• Deut 32:39 : 39 See now that I, I alone, am He, and there is no god besides Me. I put to death and I bring to life, I wound and I heal, and no one can deliver out of My hand.
• Ps 115:4-8 : 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot touch, feet but cannot walk, nor can they make a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
• Isa 37:16 : 16 "O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
• Isa 37:20 : 20 Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, LORD, alone are God.
• Jude 1:25 : 25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, now and forevermore. Amen.
• 1 Tim 1:17 : 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.