1 Corinthians 8:4

Things that are offered in sacrifice - See on the first verse, ( 1 Corinthians 8:1 ; (note)).

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 ὁμοιωμα, εικων, σημειον, χαρακτηριον, σκιοειδες , a likeness, an image, a sign, a character, a shadow: now ουδεν ειδωλον 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 1 Corinthians 8:1 ; ( 1 Corinthians 8:1 ; (note)) 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 אלהים Elohim , the true God; but they are אלילים , nothings, and הבלים habalim , Vanity.