1 Corinthians 8:4

1 Corinthians 8:4

(KJV)   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.

(1611 KJV) As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice vnto idoles, wee know that an idole is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

(1587 Geneva Bible) 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.

(1568 Bishops Bible) 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.

(1539 Great Bible) As concernyng the eatyng of those thynges that are offred vnto ydols, we are sure, that the ymage is nothing in the worlde and that ther is none other God, but one.

(1535 Coverdale Bible) 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.

 

Counterfeit Versions

(ESV) Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”

(ISV) Now concerning eating food offered to idols: We know that no idol is real in this world and that there is only one God.

(JB PHILLIPS) In this matter, then, of eating meat which has been offered to idols, knowledge tells us that no idol has any real existence, and that there is no God but one.

(THE MESSAGE) Some people say, quite rightly, that idols have no actual existence, that there’s nothing to them, that there is no God other than our one God, that no matter how many of these so-called gods are named and worshiped they still don’t add up to anything but a tall story.

(NABRE) So about the eating of meat sacrificed to idols: we know that “there is no idol in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.”

(NASV) Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

(NRSV) Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.”

(RSV) Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”

 

Textus Receptus – Traditional Text

περι της βρωσεως ουν των ειδωλοθυτων οιδαμεν οτι ουδεν ειδωλον εν κοσμω και οτι ουδεις θεος ετερος ει μη εις

 

Hort-Westcott – Critical Text

περι της βρωσεως ουν των ειδωλοθυτων οιδαμεν οτι ουδεν ειδωλον εν κοσμω και οτι ουδεις θεος ει μη εις

 

Corrupted Manuscripts

None

 

Affected Teaching

To change “an idol is nothing in this world” to “an idol has no real existence” is to send a wrong message as the modern versions normally do.  Idols are definitely existing in this world.  There were many idols in ancient times.  All one has to do is study any ancient civilization like the Romans, Greeks, Assyrians, etc.  They all had idols.  We also have idols in the present world.  Sports figures, Movie stars, money, sex, status, etc.  Whatever a person focuses their life on will become their idol.  To say idols don’t exist omits a very valuable message from Scripture. 

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