Doesn't 1 Corinthians 8:5 teach that there are other gods?

Of course 1 Corinthians 8:5 teaches there are other gods. It says that "there be gods many and lords many," but what kind of gods are these? Joseph Smith totally wrenched this passage out of context in order to fit his assumption that it is speaking of true deities like God is a true deity, except that these other true deities will receive worship from others in worlds that are not ruled over by our God. Smith incredibly said, "You know and I testify that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods. I have it from God, and get over it if you can. I have a witness of the Holy Ghost, and a testimony that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods in the text" (Teachings of the Prophet of Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret, 1977], 371).

It is a little difficult to "get over it" when Paul starts the chapter out by saying, "Now as touching things offered unto idols" (vs. 1, emphasis added). Paul goes on to say,

[W]e know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him" (vss. 4-6, emphasis added).

Paul plainly tells us that he is referring to heathen gods, "which by nature are no gods" (Galatians 4:8). One may call anything a god, but that does not make it the Creator of everything outside of Himself, who is God by nature.

R. M. Sivulka


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Cory says... (Reply)
"1 Cor 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, WHETHER IN HEAVEN or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many..."

Of course Paul is referring to idolatry when he talks about gods in earth. But WHY would he even need to mention HEAVEN. God doesn't allow idols in heaven - if he was talking exclusively about idols, he really wouldn't have any reason for inserting the word heaven." (5/27/15)
Rob Sivulka says... (Reply)
"He used the term "heaven" since with "earth," it refers to all creation. It's similar to Ps. 96:4-5 where God is to be feared above all gods of the nations, since they are all idols and only the Lord made the heavens. God is the creator of all things from the beginning: the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1 and Jn. 1:1-3 and Col. 1:13-18). Because of this fact, He's always been God and doesn't know of any other god (Isa. 43:10, 44:6, 8, and 24). So whatever god you set up for yourself in heaven to worship, it's inferior to the God who created everything outside Himself. He alone deserves worship (Mat. 4:10)." (5/27/15)