1 Corinthians 8:4

“As concerning therefore the eating of those things, etc.] The apostle having enlarged on the head of knowledge, which those who made an ill use of their Christian liberty urged in favour of their conduct; he returns to the subject in question, in relation to meats, that are offered in sacrifice unto idols. The determinations of the Jewish schools concerning this affair are as follow, which admit of no manner of profit by them in any shape: “a beast, the whole of which they offer to idols, is forbidden of profit, even its dung, and its bones, and its horns, and its hoofs, and its skin, all is forbid to be of any profit” f143. Again f144, “flesh or wine, or fruits, which are brought in to be…”

“As concerning, &c.--resuming the subject begun in Co1 8:1, "As touching," &c. idol is nothing--has no true being at all, the god it represents is not a living reality. This does not contradict Co1 10:20, which states that they who worship idols, worship devils; for here it is the GODS believed by the worshippers to be represented by the idols which are denied to have any existence, not the devils which really under the idols delude the worshippers. none other God--The oldest manuscripts omit the word "other"; which gives a clearer sense.”

“As concerning therefore ... - The parenthesis closes with 1 Corinthians 8:3. The apostle now proceeds to the real question in debate, and repeats in this verse the question, and the admission that all had knowledge. The admission that all had knowledge proceeds through 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; and in 1 Corinthians 8:7 he gives the answer to it. In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 everything is admitted by Paul which they asked in regard to the real extent of their knowledge on this subject; and in 1 Corinthians 8:7 he shows that even on the ground of this admission, the conclusion would not follow that it was right to partake of the food offered in sacrifice in the temple of an idol. The eating of those…”

“We know that an idol is nothing - A mere nominal god, having no divinity, virtue, or power. 1 Corinthians 8:5”

“8:4-6 In reality, the idols to which such meat is sacrificed are not gods, for there is only one God (Deut 6:4; cp. Deut 4:35, 39; 10:19-20). He is the Creator of everything, including the meat in question. The only ultimate reality is God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created (cp. John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2).”

“we know: Co1 10:19, Co1 10:20; Psa 115:4-8; Isa 41:24, Isa 44:8, Isa 44:9; Jer 10:14, Jer 51:17, Jer 51:18; Hab 2:19, Hab 2:20; Act 19:26 there is: Co1 8:6; Deu 3:24, Deu 4:39, Deu 6:4, Deu 32:39; Isa 37:16, Isa 37:20, Isa 44:6, Isa 44:8, Isa 44:24, Isa 45:5, Isa 45:14; Jer 10:10; Mar 12:29; Eph 4:6; Ti1 1:17, Ti1 2:5; Jde 1:25 1 Corinthians 8:5”