1 Corinthians8:4

Translation

Therefore,

concerning the food of the image-sacrifices, we know that an idol [is] nothing in this world and that [there is] no THEOS, if not one. (See comment below.)

Paraphrase

Based on what I just said, I will now give you my response to your question about meat that has been sacrificed to idols. As a starting point, we know that an idol is nothing; the idols of people all around the world are nothing, meaning they have no power and are not really gods. There is no deity figure except one – THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS.

Footnotes

1: "Therefore"

Paul introduced the topic of food sacrificed to idols in verse one, but he took a quick detour in verses 1-3, so now he is getting back to that topic. There is general agreement that any time Paul wrote the words “now concerning” he was beginning to address another topic of concern that was mentioned in the letter he received from the congregation in Corinth.

THESE ARE FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS THAT SET THE STAGE FOR WHAT WILL FOLLOW

Keep in mind the point that Paul is making here – eating meat sacrificed to idols is actually a non-issue because idols are nothing; the gods they represent do not exist. The only reason to care about this issue is to show sensitivity to other believers in Jesus who, because of their past, have not yet grasped the reality that this is not a problem.

The two statements in the second half of this verse, “an idol is nothing in this world,” and “there is no God if not one”, form the foundation for what will follow. They cannot be ignored or set aside, rather they create definitions that must be kept in mind as one moves through the rest of Paul’s discussion of meat sacrificed to idols.

Paul’s statement that “an idol is nothing” corresponds with other statements which indicate that demons are behind the worship of other gods. The god as known by the people, with a name, abilities, likes and dislikes, and demands for appeasement, does not exist.

The words “there is no God, if not one” is a very clear indication that other gods do not exist. Michael Heiser’s notion that the Bible allows for a council of friendly gods who have remained loyal to YHVH, is nullified by this verse. Besides that, Heiser is inconsistent because he often speaks of all gods, even rebellious gods, demons and even Satan, as being part of God’s council of gods and he, YHVH I obliged to at least listen to them. But Heiser focuses his attention on the next two verses without properly understanding the foundational concepts presented in this one.