In 2 Corinthians 4:4, how can a “god of this age” blind people if there is only one true God?

Scriptural Context

In 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, the Apostle Paul writes, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” On the surface, the phrase “the god of this age” raises questions: How can there be another “god” if there is only one true God declared throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:4)? To resolve this, we explore the identity of the “god of this age” and consider how Paul’s words align with the Bible’s overarching emphasis on the absolute sovereignty of the one God.

The Identity of the “god of this age”

Throughout the New Testament, “the god of this age” is a descriptive reference to Satan, also called the devil. John 12:31 refers to “the ruler of this world,” and 1 Peter 5:8 describes “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion.” These passages underscore that Satan has limited yet real power to influence those who remain outside the truth, perpetrating deception and hardness of heart (see also Ephesians 6:12).

The Greek word for “god” (theos) is sometimes used figuratively for a power or ruler (cf. Psalm 82:6 in the Septuagint). Paul’s audience, familiar with pagan deities, would have understood “the god of this age” to be a claim about Satan’s role in deceiving and controlling the spiritual sphere of worldly systems—not that he is a deity on par with Yahweh.

The Nature and Limits of Satan’s Authority

Satan’s authority is never depicted as equal or rival to the supremacy of the Creator. Rather, it is a derivative, temporary influence allowed by God in a fallen world. Job 1:6–12 and Luke 22:31–32 both show that Satan cannot exceed the parameters permitted by the Almighty. Consequently, the devil’s ability to “blind” individuals means he draws them away from truth by feeding pride, unbelief, and rebellion against God. Even so, Satan does not have the power to overthrow the single, all-powerful God. As Jesus Himself states, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18).

A Consistent Message in Biblical Manuscripts

All extant manuscripts of 2 Corinthians—such as Papyrus 46 (P46), which dates to around the late second or early third century—transmit the same reading concerning “the god of this age.” Textual scholars who have examined these manuscripts (including those at the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts) confirm that the sense of Satan as a blinding influence is preserved consistently throughout the textual tradition.

Moreover, Old Testament manuscripts discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls and other archaeological finds confirm the consistent theme that the one God (Yahweh) tolerates, for a time, the limited influence of opposing spiritual entities. There is never a suggestion of another divinity who can rival God on equal terms. Rather, the total witness of Scripture stands solid on the premise of God’s sovereignty.

Why Scripture Calls Him “god of this age”

First, it conveys the seriousness of the devil’s-consuming domain over a world swayed by sin (1 John 5:19). Second, it highlights that this present age—ruined by the fall (Genesis 3)—is under God’s ultimate control even as Satan seeks to wreak havoc. By calling Satan “the god of this age,” Paul directs attention to how easily people can be captivated by falsehood and darkness until God intervenes (Ephesians 2:1–2).

Yet this title is no acknowledgment of any divine equality. The devil’s role is more like that of a usurper, seeking to draw worship and attention away from the true and living God, without possessing any inherent ultimacy. As Tertullian and other early Christian writers observed, Satan acts as a counterfeit, attempting to imitate divine prerogatives but lacking real omnipotence.

Human Responsibility and Free Will

While Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers, Scripture consistently holds humans responsible for turning away from truth (Romans 1:20–21). Blindness to the gospel stems from both the devil’s deceit and a willful dismissal of God’s self-revelation (James 1:14–15). The combination of satanic influence and human sinful nature results in spiritual darkness. Yet the Bible shows that when individuals genuinely seek God, He graciously meets them (James 4:8).

Overcoming Spiritual Blindness

The exalted truth is that God’s light in Christ overcomes any blindness inflicted by “the god of this age.” As John 1:5 testifies, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Those who place their faith in Christ discover that the Holy Spirit brings about transformation, removing spiritual veils (2 Corinthians 3:16–18). This power of regeneration breaks through the devil’s blinding influence.

Throughout history there are numerous accounts—personal relationships, missionary reports, and documented testimonials—of people set free from false worldviews or addictions when they encountered the gospel’s power. These narratives align with the Bible’s teaching that the one true God rescues people from the dominion of evil and transfers them into the “kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).

Conclusion

The expression “the god of this age” does not challenge the biblical proclamation that there is only one God. It instead highlights the limited yet genuine sway that Satan holds in a world that is fallen and in rebellion. The devil’s ability to blind minds underscores how vitally the gospel’s light is needed to dispel darkness. At the same time, every facet of Scripture—from its earliest Hebrew texts of the Old Testament to its carefully preserved New Testament manuscripts—testifies to the unassailable sovereignty of the Almighty and the triumphant efficacy of Christ’s saving work.

In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul points to a “god of this age” only to affirm by contrast that God alone is truly divine, and it is His power alone that overthrows deception. Far from implying a second deity, the verse offers yet another reminder that the devil’s counterfeit position is entirely subject to the one, supreme Creator, who seeks to rescue all who believe and bring them into everlasting truth.