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"No other God but one."

Text: 1 Corinthians 8:4

A CAREFUL AND LOVING APPROACH ADOPTED

Paul had already declared that the approach must be one of love and edification. It is thus important to read the following text in this spirit.

“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.
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven
or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords).”
1 Corinthians 8:4-5

1. “Things offered to idols”

a) As an expression of worship.

b) As an act of obeisance.

c) As an expression that the deity needs to be fed.

2. “We know that an idol is nothing in the world”

a) There is no need to fear idols.

b) There must be strong knowledge of this truth.

3. “There is no other God but one”

a) This was a position that Paul needed to state carefully.

b) This understanding should rule out inordinate fear.

4. “So-called gods”

a) Paul was aware of the superstitions of many in Corinth.

b) There were deities worshipped.

i) Some deities were supposed to reside on earth.

ii) Others resided in heaven.

5. “Many gods and many lords”

a) Paul was not contradicting himself.

b) He believed that there was but one God (Deuteronomy 6:4).

c) But he knew that many were afraid of the many deities they addressed as “gods and lords”.

SENSITIVITY TO PEOPLE

Paul practised what he preached. He was not rude or confrontational in his approach.

1. He showed understanding of how people felt about “gods and lords”.

2. He maintained his own personal faith that there was but one God.
He sought to help the Corinthians to hold fast to their faith in God but without conceit or arrogance.