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NASB | 1 Corinthians 8:5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 8:5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, |
Subject: One God, One Jesus Christ |
Bible Note: Greetings Tara! I have posted many times on the JW's false translation of John 1:1. So, I won't repeat all of that now. :-) However, I would like to demonstrate that the argument made concerning the definite article is false. Scripture uses 'theos' many times without the definite article in contexts where it is clear that God is in view. The following are all verses where 'theos' is used without an article. 1) Mt. 4:4 - "Jesus answered, 'It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 2) Mt. 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." 3) Mt. 6:24 - "'No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.'" 4) Mt. 19:26 - "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" 5) Acts 5:29 - "Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'" 6) Acts 5:39 - "'But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.'" There are many other examples, but these should suffice. It is simply not true that 'theos' without the definite article must mean 'divine' rather than 'God'. The JW's mistranslation of Jn. 1:1 is driven by false theology, not by Greek grammar. By the way, here is how the NWT translates the examples above where 'theos' is used without a definite article. 1) Mt. 4:4 - "...but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth". That's odd! 'Theos' without the article refers to Jehovah? :) 2) Mt. 5:9 - "...they will be called 'sons of God.'" 3) Mt. 6:24 - "...You cannot slave for God and for Riches." 4) Mt. 19:26 - "...but with God all things are possible.'" 5) Acts 5:29 - "...'We must obey God as ruler rather than men.'" 6) Acts 5:39 - "'But if it is from God,..." Notice that the NWT translation also translates 'theos' without an article as refering to God, not 'a god' or 'divine'. In fact, in the first example, they even specify that 'theos' without the article is a reference to Jehovah. Yet, in John 1:1, they try to argue that 'theos' without the article cannot be a reference to Jehovah! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |