1Cor 8:4 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 4. Things that are offered in sacrifice ] See on the first verse. An idol is nothing in the world ] Dr. Lightfoot translates this, We know that there is no idol in the world ; which he explains thus: ειδωλον, idol, is ομοιωμαεικωνσημειον χαρακτηριονσκιοειδες, a likeness , an image , a sign , a character , a shadow : now ουδενειδωλον signifies there is no idol , no representation of GOD, in the world. Images there are of stone, wood and metal; but none of these is any representation of the infinite Spirit. But I prefer the meaning given in the note on verse 1; as the expression, an idol is nothing in the world , was common in the Old Testament, and among the Jews; and was understood by them in this way: they are not Elohim , the true GOD; but they are , nothings , and habalim , VANITY.

‏ 1 Corinthians 8:4

Verse 4. Things that are offered in sacrifice] See on the first verse. See Clarke on 1Co 8:1

An idol is nothing in the world] Dr. Lightfoot translates this, We know that there is no idol in the world; which he explains thus: ειδωλον, idol, is ομοιωμαεικωνσημειον χαρακτηριονσκιοειδες, a likeness, an image, a sign, a character, a shadow: now ουδενειδωλον signifies there is no idol, no representation of GOD, in the world. Images there are of stone, wood and metal; but none of these is any representation of the infinite Spirit. But I prefer the meaning given in the note on verse 1; See Clarke on 1Co 8:1 as the expression, an idol is nothing in the world, was common in the Old Testament, and among the Jews; and was understood by them in this way: they are not Elohim, the true GOD; but they are , nothings, and habalim, VANITY.