What does the Bible say about the "little gods" doctrine?

LITTLE GODS DOCTRINE: BIBLICAL INSIGHT

WHAT THE TERM “LITTLE GODS” MEANS

The phrase “little gods” generally refers to a teaching that human beings, particularly those who have faith in God, can be considered divine or possess divine attributes in a way that elevates them to “godlike” status. While Scripture does affirm that humanity bears God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27), it also persistently upholds the distinction between the Creator and His creation. Any teaching suggesting that humans become gods in any literal sense must be thoroughly examined against the whole of biblical teaching.

KEY PASSAGES OFTEN CITED BY “LITTLE GODS” TEACHING

1) Psalm 82:6: “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’”

2) John 10:34: “Jesus replied, ‘Is it not written in your Law: “I have said you are gods”?’

These verses are central to the so-called “little gods” position. Proponents of the doctrine sometimes interpret them to convey that believers share the divine essence. However, a closer look at the context of these passages reveals something quite different.

CONTEXT AND INTENT OF Psalm 82

Psalm 82:1 describes God taking His stand in the divine council to rebuke unjust judges or rulers: “God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods.” The term “gods” (Hebrew: elohim) can refer to rulers or judges who exercise authority as God’s representatives. Verses 2–5 depict their corruption and injustice, culminating in verse 7, where God declares, “But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”

When the psalmist says, “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High,’” (Psalm 82:6), it is immediately followed by the warning that these unjust rulers will die “like mortals.” In other words, although they function in positions of authority, they are neither divine nor immortal. Far from affirming a literal sense of being gods, the passage condemns their failure to judge righteously and indicates they will be held accountable as mere humans.

JESUS’ REFERENCE IN John 10:34–36

Jesus in John 10:34 quotes Psalm 82 to address the accusation of blasphemy for calling Himself “the Son of God” (John 10:36). He points out that if the term “gods” can be figuratively applied to human judges in Scripture, Jews should not consider it blasphemy for the Messiah—the very Son of God—to declare His identity. Jesus’ application underscores that His rightful claim to deity is far greater than that of any mortal ruler. He is not bestowing divinity upon humans; rather, He is driving home the point that, if flawed human judges could be referred to in a limited sense as “gods,” then how much more can He, the unique and eternal Son of God, declare His oneness with the Father?

DISTINCTION BETWEEN CREATOR AND CREATION

Throughout Scripture, the absolute and exclusive deity of the LORD is repeatedly affirmed. Passages such as Isaiah 43:10 (“Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.”) and Isaiah 46:9 (“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.”) clarify that no creation—whether angelic or human—can ever become God. These declarations from the Hebrew Scriptures resonate with the New Testament teachings that only God is infinite, eternal, and all-powerful. Humans, even in a glorified state, are nowhere described as becoming God by nature.

WHAT IT MEANS TO PARTAKE IN THE DIVINE NATURE

Second Peter 1:3–4 states that God “has granted us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Verse 4 adds that “through these” believers “may become partakers of the divine nature.” While this language is powerful, it is generally understood in Christian teaching to mean that believers receive the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and transforms hearts. Believers are conformed to Christ’s image in righteousness and holiness (Romans 8:29), but they do not acquire God’s intrinsic attributes (omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, eternality). Rather, they reflect God’s character by growing in love, patience, and holiness, ultimately bringing glory to Him rather than becoming deities themselves.

“LITTLE GODS” VS. BIBLICAL HUMILITY

The entire biblical narrative emphasizes that God alone is to be worshiped (Matthew 4:10). Scripture consistently warns against idolatry, pride, and self-exaltation in any form. King Herod was struck down for accepting worship as a god in Acts 12:21–23. Similar warnings appear throughout Scripture, underscoring that usurping worship or adopting a “godlike” stature leads to divine judgment. By contrast, believers are instructed to humble themselves (1 Peter 5:6) and to recognize their complete dependence on the Lord (John 15:5).

HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN TEACHING

From the earliest centuries, Christians have declared the uniqueness of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one eternal Being. Early creeds and doctrinal statements show that believers recognized a radical distinction between God and humanity. Although modern teachings may attempt to blur those lines by assigning divine status to humans, historic Christian orthodoxy stands firmly on the position that only the one true God is worthy of worship, and believers—while redeemed and granted eternal life—remain His adopted children, not gods in their own right.

CITATIONS FROM ARCHAEOLOGY AND EARLY MANUSCRIPTS

Archaeological finds such as early fragments of biblical manuscripts (e.g., Papyrus 52 containing a portion of John’s Gospel) and ancient Extra-Biblical Jewish texts support the traditionally understood context in which Psalm 82 and John 10 were interpreted. Early rabbinic commentaries treat “you are gods” as a metaphor for high status or authority, not an ontological claim of human divinity. The consistency of biblical manuscripts in these passages correlates with the mainstream understanding that God alone is divine and humans are His creation.

CONCLUSION

Scripture’s consistent message is that there is one eternal Creator God, and while humanity bears His image, we remain finite. Passages that seem to suggest humans can be “gods” must be read in the broader biblical context, which overwhelmingly affirms that we are creatures—loved, redeemed, and bestowed with dignity but not divine.

The “little gods” doctrine runs counter to the whole scope of biblical teaching on God’s uniqueness, human humility, and dependence on divine grace. By acknowledging Him alone as sovereign and by walking in humble obedience, believers find their authentic identity: adopted children of God, reflecting His character yet never becoming identical with His eternal, infinite nature.