If, according to 1 Corinthians 8:6, there is only “one God,” how do we reconcile this with other passages where divine beings or “gods” are mentioned (e.g., Psalm 82)? Definition of “One God” and the Appearances of Other “gods” In 1 Corinthians 8:6, we read, “yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.” This statement affirms a foundational truth of Scripture: there is one Creator and true God who alone is eternal, sovereign, and worthy of worship. However, the Bible also features passages mentioning “gods” or “divine beings,” such as Psalm 82:6: “I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’” At first glance, these statements may seem contradictory. A closer look reveals they are entirely reconcilable and reflect distinct uses of the Hebrew and Greek terms for “god(s).” Below is a comprehensive exploration of how these references harmonize within Scripture, showing that the existence of lesser spiritual or human authorities, sometimes referred to as “gods,” never diminishes the truth that there is only one God in the ultimate, eternal sense. 1. The Scriptural Context of “One God” Scripture consistently emphasizes that there is only one God who is the uncreated Creator of all things. • Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” • Isaiah 45:5: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.” In the Hebrew Scriptures, the name Yahweh uniquely identifies the eternal, self-existent God. The New Testament continues this theme, teaching that the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit are the same eternal Being. Passages such as John 1:1–3 and John 10:30 emphasize Christ’s divine nature alongside the Father, while references to the Holy Spirit (e.g., Acts 5:3–4) indicate the Spirit’s full deity. Thus, when 1 Corinthians 8:6 echoes the oneness of God, it reflects the unwavering scriptural claim that there is only one true and ultimate God. 2. Understanding the Term “gods” Hebrew and Greek words often translated as “god(s)” can carry multiple nuances. In Hebrew, “Elohim” is used for the one true God but can also describe: • Angelic beings in the heavenly assembly (e.g., Psalm 82:1). • Human judges or rulers who act as God’s representatives (e.g., Exodus 21:6; 22:8–9). • False gods or idols worshiped by the nations (e.g., Jeremiah 10:11). In the New Testament, the Greek word “theos” (θεός) is used primarily for God but can also apply to false gods or idols (e.g., Acts 14:11–13). The biblical authors, by context, clarify whether they refer to the one true God, subordinate spiritual entities, or the worthless “gods” of pagan nations. 3. Psalm 82 and the Divine Council Psalm 82 is a pivotal passage cited whenever “gods” are mentioned in Scripture. Its opening verse says, “God presides in the Divine Assembly; He renders judgment among the gods.” Several key points help clarify Psalm 82: 1. Representation Rather Than Deity: Many scholars, including conservative commentators, view these “gods” as either unjust human judges or angelic beings. In either interpretation, they are subordinate to the one true God (Psalm 82:1). 2. God’s Judgment: The psalm issues a rebuke. Whether it is against corrupt human authorities or rebellious spiritual beings, God warns them: “You will die like men” (Psalm 82:7). This rebuke underscores that their power is not intrinsic; it is subject to the judgment of the Most High. 3. Consistency Across Manuscripts: Ancient manuscript evidence—from the Masoretic Text to certain Dead Sea Scrolls fragments—demonstrates that Psalm 82 has consistently identified these lesser beings as “gods” (Hebrew: Elohim) in a context of accountability under the ultimate authority of Yahweh. Thus, the usage here is not equating them with the one eternal God. Instead, it is highlighting that although they exercise some authority, they remain created beings accountable to the Creator. 4. Jesus’ Use of Psalm 82 In John 10:34–36, Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6: “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?” He uses this passage to confront some of the religious leaders who accused Him of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God. The Lord’s argument is that if Scripture uses the term “gods” to refer to authorities or beings to whom God’s word came, how much more appropriate is it for Jesus—who is in actual union with the Father—to identify Himself with the divine? Far from teaching the existence of multiple all-powerful gods, Jesus emphasizes the authority and uniqueness of His own relationship with the Father. He employs the psalm to show the irony of accusing Him of blasphemy when the lesser usage of “gods” had already been employed in Scripture for lesser authorities. 5. Reconciling 1 Corinthians 8:6 with Psalm 82 When Paul says, “yet for us there is but one God, the Father,” he is addressing the idolatry prevalent in Corinth. Numerous deities were worshiped in that culture, yet Paul insists there is only one true God. The mention of lesser “gods” in other passages, such as Psalm 82, does not challenge that conviction because: 1. Categorical Difference: The lesser “gods” are contingent creatures, whether they are spiritual powers (angels, demons) or human judges/authorities. In contrast, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are eternal and uncreated. 2. Contextual Clarity: The biblical writers delineate the one true God from false or lesser “gods.” While Psalm 82 calls these entities “gods,” it immediately shows they are subject to correction and judgment, unlike the omnipotent and omniscient Creator. 3. Strict Monotheism: Both Old and New Testaments unequivocally teach that there is only one true God. Even though the word “god” is used broadly, the identity of the supreme God and His eternal power is never shared with any other being. 6. The Greater Theological Emphasis • Consistency of Scripture: From an overarching perspective, Genesis through Revelation maintains a unified teaching of one supreme God. Archaeological and manuscript discoveries consistently affirm that references to multiple “gods” point to either idols or subordinate beings—never to rival deities equal to Yahweh. • Role of Judgment and Divine Authority: Psalm 82 and similar passages highlight the accountability of all other “powers” to God. Whether they are angelic or human, they remain under the authority of the Most High. • Implications for Believers: Recognizing that only one God is deserving of ultimate worship guards believers against idolatry or superstition. Meanwhile, the existence of other spiritual beings or human authorities—some with real but limited power—reminds us of the spiritual reality described by passages like Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness...” Conclusion The Bible consistently teaches there is only one God. Any mention of “gods” in Scripture—such as in Psalm 82—refers to lesser beings who hold delegated authority or are merely idols that cannot compare with the true God. The context of 1 Corinthians 8:6 addresses believers in a culturally polytheistic setting, reaffirming that those who follow Christ acknowledge only one God who created all, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist. Though Scripture may use the term “gods” to signify certain earthly rulers or angelic spirits, it never equates them with the eternal, omnipotent Creator. Thus, there is no contradiction: there remains, eternally and absolutely, only one true God. |
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