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Does 1 Corinthians 8:6 Mean Only the Father Is God?

Biblical Unitarians read 1 Corinthians 8:6 as the Shema split, so that only the Father is God. The verse also calls Jesus the one Lord through whom all things are, the same “all things” that are from the Father.

Updated 2026-10-11 · Biblical Unitarianism

Author Paul Ambrose · GitHub

Part of Common Arguments

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ἀλλ’ all But ἀλλά (alla) conjunction — “But” G235 but, except, however. This verse uses “but”. But

ἡμῖν hēmin I ἐγώ (egṓ) personal pronoun, dative, plural — “I”, the to- or for-form G1473 I, the first-person pronoun. Strong’s files this form under G3165 (μέ). to us

εἷς heis there is but one εἷς adjective, nominative, singular, masculine — “there is but one”, the subject form G1520 one. there is but one

θεὸς theos God θεός noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “God”, the subject form G2316 (a) God, (b) a god, generally. This verse uses “God”. God

ὁ ho the ὁ article, nominative, singular, masculine — “the”, the subject form G3588 the, the definite article.

πατήρ patēr Father πατήρ noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “Father”, the subject form G3962 father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. This verse uses “father”. the Father

ἐξ ex of ἐκ (ek) preposition — “of” G1537 from out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. of

οὗ hou whom ὅς (hos) relative pronoun, genitive, singular, masculine — “whom”, the of-form G3739 who, which, what, that. whom

πάντα panta are all things πᾶς (pas) adjective, nominative, plural, neuter — “are all things”, the subject form G3956 all, the whole, every kind of. This verse uses “all”. are all things

καὶ kai and καί conjunction — “and” G2532 and, even, also, namely. This verse uses “and”. and

εἰς eis in εἰς preposition — “in” G1519 into, in, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among. in

αὐτόν auton him αὐτός (autos) personal pronoun, accusative, singular, masculine — “him”, the object form G846 he, she, it, they, them, same. him

κύριος kurios Lord κύριος noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “Lord”, the subject form G2962 lord, master, sir; the Lord. This verse uses “lord”. Lord

Ἰησοῦς iēsous Jesus Ἰησοῦς noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “Jesus”, the subject form G2424 Jesus; the Greek form of Joshua; Jesus, son of Eliezer; Jesus, surnamed Justus. Jesus

Χριστός christos Christ Χριστός noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “Christ”, the subject form G5547 anointed; the Messiah, the Christ. Christ

δι’ di by διά (dia) preposition — “by” G1223 (a) gen: through, throughout, by the instrumentality of, (b) acc: through, on account of, by reason of, for the sake of, because of. by

παρεισέδυσαν pareisedusan crept in unawares παρεισδύω (pareisduō) verb, aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural — “crept in unawares”, a single action G3921 I enter secretly, come in by stealth. crept in unawares

γάρ gar for γάρ conjunction — “for” G1063 for.

τινες tines one τις (tis) interrogative or indefinite pronoun, nominative, plural, masculine — “one”, the subject form G5100 any one, some one, a certain one or thing.

ἄνθρωποι anthrōpoi a human ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) noun, nominative, plural, masculine — “a human”, the subject form G444 a man, one of the human race.

πάλαι palai of old πάλαι adverb — “of old” G3819 of old, long ago, in times past, former. This verse uses “of old”. of old

προγεγραμμένοι progegrammenoi ordained προγράφω (prographō) verb, perfect passive participle, nominative, plural, masculine — “ordained”, a completed action with a present result G4270 (a) I write previously (aforetime); I write above (already), (b) I depict or portray openly, (c) I designate beforehand. ordained

τοῦτο touto this οὗτος (houtos) demonstrative pronoun, accusative, singular, neuter — “this”, the object form G3778 this; he, she, it. This verse uses “this”. this

κρίμα krima condemnation κρίμα noun, accusative, singular, neuter — “condemnation”, the object form G2917 (a) a judgment, a verdict; sometimes implying an adverse verdict, a condemnation, (b) a case at law, a lawsuit. condemnation

ἀσεβεῖς asebeis ungodly men ἀσεβής (asebēs) adjective, nominative, plural, masculine — “ungodly men”, the subject form G765 impious, ungodly, wicked. This verse uses “ungodly”. ungodly men

χάριτα charita grace χάρις (charis) noun, accusative, singular, feminine — “grace”, the object form G5485 (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness. This verse uses “grace”.

μετατιθέντες metatithentes to transport μετατίθημι (metatithēmi) verb, present active participle, nominative, plural, masculine — “to transport”, an ongoing or repeated action G3346 (a) I transfer, mid: I go over to another party, desert, (b) I change.

ἀσέλγειαν aselgeian debauchery ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia) noun, accusative, singular, feminine — “debauchery”, the object form G766 (outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), wantonness, lewdness.

μόνον monon alone μόνος (monos) adjective, accusative, singular, masculine — “alone”, the object form G3441 only, solitary, desolate.

δεσπότην despotēn master δεσπότης (despotēs) noun, accusative, singular, masculine — “master”, the object form G1203 a lord, master, or prince. This verse uses “master”.

ἀρνούμενοι arnoumenoi to deny ἀρνέομαι (arneomai) verb, present middle participle, nominative, plural, masculine — “to deny”, an ongoing or repeated action G720 (a) I deny (a statement), (b) I repudiate (a person, or belief). This verse uses “deny”.

ἐγένετο egeneto was γίνομαι (ginomai) verb, aorist middle indicative, 3rd person singular — “was”, a single action G1096 I come into being, am born, become, come about, happen. was

χωρὶς chōris without χωρίς preposition — “without” G5565 apart from, separately from; without. This verse uses “without”.

οὐδὲ oude and not οὐδέ adverb — “and not” G3761 neither, nor, not even, and not.

Περὶ peri As concerning περί preposition — “As concerning” G4012 (a) gen: about, concerning, (b) acc: around. This verse uses “concerning”. As concerning

βρώσεως brōseōs eating βρῶσις (brōsis) noun, genitive, singular, feminine — “eating”, the of-form G1035 (a) abstr: eating, (b) food, a meal, (c) rust. This verse uses “eating”. the eating

οὖν oun therefore οὖν conjunction — “therefore” G3767 therefore, then. This verse uses “therefore”.

εἰδωλοθύτων eidōlothutōn sacrificed to idols εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlothuton) adjective, genitive, plural, neuter — “sacrificed to idols”, the of-form G1494 (of meat), sacrificed to an image (or an idol). of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols

οἴδαμεν oidamen to perceive οἶδα (oida) verb, perfect active indicative, 1st person plural — “to perceive”, a completed action with a present result G6063 to perceive

ὅτι hoti that ὅτι conjunction — “that” G3754 that, since, because; may introduce direct discourse. This verse uses “that”. that

οὐδὲν ouden is nothing οὐδείς (oudeis) adjective, nominative, singular, neuter — “is nothing”, the subject form G3762 no one, none, nothing. This verse uses “nothing”. is nothing

εἴδωλον eidōlon idol εἴδωλον noun, nominative, singular, neuter — “idol”, the subject form G1497 an idol, false god.

ἐν en in ἐν preposition — “in” G1722 in, on, among. in

κόσμῳ kosmō world κόσμος (kosmos) noun, dative, singular, masculine — “world”, the to- or for-form G2889 the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment. the world

εἰ ei if εἰ conjunction — “if” G1487 if.

μὴ mē not μή adverb — “not” G3361 not, lest. This verse uses “not”.

ἕτερος heteros other ἕτερος adjective, nominative, singular, masculine — “other”, the subject form G2087 (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. other

ἐπ’ ep in ἐπί (epi) preposition — “in” G1909 on, to, against, on the basis of, at. in

ἐσχάτου eschatou last ἔσχατος (eschatos) adjective, genitive, singular, neuter — “last”, the of-form G2078 last, at the last, finally, till the end. This verse uses “last”. last

ἡμερῶν hēmerōn days ἡμέρα (hēmera) noun, genitive, plural, feminine — “days”, the of-form G2250 a day, the period from sunrise to sunset. days

ἐλάλησεν elalēsen spoken λαλέω (laleō) verb, aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular — “spoken”, a single action G2980 (I talk, chatter in classical Greek, but in NT a more dignified word) I speak, say. spoken

υἱῷ huiō his Son υἱός (huios) noun, dative, singular, masculine — “his Son”, the to- or for-form G5207 a son, descendent. his Son

ἔθηκεν ethēken he hath appointed τίθημι (tithēmi) verb, aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular — “he hath appointed”, a single action G5087 I put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. he hath appointed

κληρονόμον klēronomon heir κληρονόμος (klēronomos) noun, accusative, singular, masculine — “heir”, the object form G2818 an heir, an inheritor. heir

ἐποίησεν epoiēsen he made ποιέω (poieō) verb, aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular — “he made”, a single action G4160 (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. he made

αἰῶνας aiōnas worlds αἰών (aiōn) noun, accusative, plural, masculine — “worlds”, the object form G165 an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity. the worlds

ἐκτίσθη ektisthē were κτίζω (ktizō) verb, aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular — “were”, a single action G2936 I create, form, shape, make, always of God. were

οὐρανοῖς ouranois heaven οὐρανός (ouranos) noun, dative, plural, masculine — “heaven”, the to- or for-form G3772 heaven, (a) the visible heavens: the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, (b) the spiritual heavens. heaven

γῆς gēs earth γῆ (gē) noun, genitive, singular, feminine — “earth”, the of-form G1093 the earth, soil, land, region, country, inhabitants of a region. earth

ὁρατὰ horata visible ὁρατός (horatos) adjective, nominative, plural, neuter — “visible”, the subject form G3707 visible. visible

ἀόρατα aorata invisible ἀόρατος (aoratos) adjective, nominative, plural, neuter — “invisible”, the subject form G517 unseen, invisible. This verse uses “invisible”. invisible

εἴτε eite whether εἴτε conjunction — “whether” G1535 and if, whether. This verse uses “whether”. whether

θρόνοι thronoi they be thrones θρόνος (thronos) noun, nominative, plural, masculine — “they be thrones”, the subject form G2362 a (king's) throne, seat; meton: power, dominion; a potentate. they be thrones

κυριότητες kuriotētes dominions κυριότης (kuriotēs) noun, nominative, plural, feminine — “dominions”, the subject form G2963 (a) abstr: lordship, (b) concr: divine or angelic lordship, domination, dignity, usually with reference to a celestial hierarchy. dominions

ἀρχαὶ archai principalities ἀρχή (archē) noun, nominative, plural, feminine — “principalities”, the subject form G746 (a) rule (kingly or magisterial), (b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning. principalities

ἐξουσίαι exousiai powers ἐξουσία (exousia) noun, nominative, plural, feminine — “powers”, the subject form G1849 (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power. powers

ἀσφαλῶς asphalōs assuredly ἀσφαλῶς adverb — “assuredly” G806 safely, securely, assuredly, certainly. This verse uses “assuredly”. assuredly

γινωσκέτω ginōsketō to know γινώσκω (ginōskō) verb, present active imperative, 3rd person singular — “to know”, an ongoing or repeated action G1097 I am taking in knowledge, come to know, learn; aor: I ascertained, realized.

οἶκος oikos house οἶκος noun, nominative, singular, masculine — “house”, the subject form G3624 (a) a house, the material building, (b) a household, family, lineage, nation.

Ἰσραὴλ israēl Israel Ἰσραήλ noun, genitive, singular, masculine — “Israel”, the of-form G2474 (Hebrew), Israel, surname of Jacob, then the Jewish people, the people of God.

ὑμεῖς humeis you σύ (su) personal pronoun, nominative, plural — “you”, the subject form G4771 you.

ἐσταυρώσατε estaurōsate to crucify σταυρόω (stauroō) verb, aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural — “to crucify”, a single action G4717 I fix to the cross, crucify; fig: I destroy, mortify.

ἐστι esti to be εἰμί (eimi) verb, present active indicative, 3rd person singular — “to be”, an ongoing or repeated action G1510 I am, exist.

1 Corinthians 8:6 1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionBut 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.1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionOpen source says there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things. Biblical Unitarians read the first half as the whole of monotheism: only the Father is God. The same sentence gives the Son the Shema’s other title, Lord, and the same “all things.”

Key Points

Deuteronomy 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionHear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionOpen source says the LORD our God is one LORD. The Greek Old Testament reads Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, Κύριος εἷς ἐστι: the Lord our God, the Lord, is one.
1 Corinthians 8:6 1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionBut 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.1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionOpen source keeps one God and one Lord, and it names them: the Father, of whom are all things, and Jesus Christ, by whom are all things.
The Christadelphian Statement of Faith cites 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 for the one Father as the only true God. (5)
The Church of God General Conference says there is only one God, the Father alone, and cites Deuteronomy 6:4. (6)
Jude 4 Jude 1:4 · King James VersionFor there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.Jude 1:4 · King James VersionOpen source speaks of the only Master and our Lord, Jesus Christ. If one God, the Father, emptied the Son of deity, only Lord would empty the Father of lordship.
John 1:3 John 1:3 · King James VersionAll things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:3 · King James VersionOpen source says all things were made by the Word, and without him was not anything made that was made. “By whom” in 1 Corinthians 8:6 is that work, not a second god.
The creed of 381 confesses one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ, “by whom all things were made,” true God from true God. (8)

The Unitarian Reading

The reading is plain, and it should be stated that way. Paul has just said that an idol is nothing, and that there is none other God but one. He then says that for us there is one God, the Father. The Christadelphian statement of faith lists 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 beside Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29–32 as the texts for the one Father. (5) The Church of God General Conference says the one God is the Father alone. (6) The 1609 Racovian Catechism used this verse the same way. What Is Biblical Unitarianism? quotes those statements.

Jehovah’s Witnesses read the verse in the same direction. Their New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) says there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him. (7) The study note says the line echoes Deuteronomy 6:4, “Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” The groups on this shelf and Jehovah’s Witnesses agree that the Father is the one God of that sentence. They do not agree about whether the Son existed before he was born. Is Jesus the Creator or a Creature? is the Jehovah’s Witness side of “through whom.”

The Greek

Tap a word to see its meaning.

The clause is ἀλλ’ ἡμῖν εἷς θεὸς ὁ πατήρ, ἐξ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς αὐτόν, καὶ εἷς κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, δι’ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς δι’ αὐτοῦ. εἷς is “one.” θεός is “God.” ὁ πατήρ is “the Father.” ἐξ οὗ is “from whom.” τὰ πάντα is “all things.” καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς αὐτόν is “and we to him.” κύριος is “Lord.” δι’ οὗ is “through whom.” καὶ ἡμεῖς δι’ αὐτοῦ is “and we through him.”

The Shema in the Greek Old Testament does not split those words across two beings. Κύριος and Θεός sit on one subject, and εἷς says that subject is one. Paul uses both titles, both with εἷς, and both with τὰ πάντα. The Father is the one God from whom all things are. Jesus Christ is the one Lord through whom all things are. The verse does not say the Lord is a creature, and it does not say the Lord is outside the “all things.”

1 Corinthians 8:4 1 Corinthians 8:4 · King James VersionAs concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.1 Corinthians 8:4 · King James VersionOpen source is the line before it: an idol is nothing, and there is none other God but one. The King James “other” is the Textus Receptus word ἕτερος. The Greek on this site’s verse page does not print that word. Either wording still says there is one God. The next sentence names the Father as that God and the Son as the one Lord of the same “all things.”

By Whom Are All Things

“By whom” is δι’ οὗ, “through whom.” John 1:3 John 1:3 · King James VersionAll things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:3 · King James VersionOpen source says all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Hebrews 1:2 Hebrews 1:2 · King James VersionHath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;Hebrews 1:2 · King James VersionOpen source says God made the worlds by the Son. Colossians 1:16 Colossians 1:16 · King James VersionFor by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:Colossians 1:16 · King James VersionOpen source says by him were all things created. The preposition names the Son’s work. It does not place him in the inventory of things made.

The creed of 381 uses Paul’s shape of sentence. One God, the Father, maker of heaven and earth. One Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made. The creed then says that Lord is true God from true God, begotten not made. (8) Is Eternal Generation in the Bible? is what “begotten” does and does not quote from Scripture. Old Testament Yahweh Texts Applied to Jesus is the other places a New Testament writer puts the LORD’s words on the Son.

Jude 4

The consistency argument is Jude 4 Jude 1:4 · King James VersionFor there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.Jude 1:4 · King James VersionOpen source. The Greek on this site is τὸν μόνον δεσπότην καὶ κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν: the only Master and our Lord, Jesus Christ. One article covers both nouns. The only Master and Lord in that phrase is Jesus.

If “one God, the Father” meant the Son is not God, the same kind of “only” in Jude would mean the Father is not Master and not Lord. Christians do not read Jude that way. The Father is Lord. Psalm 110:1 Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionThe LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionOpen source has the LORD speaking to David’s lord. Acts 2:36 Acts 2:36 · King James VersionTherefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.Acts 2:36 · King James VersionOpen source says God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Neither sentence deletes the other person. Psalm 110: Who Is David’s Lord? is that psalm. Does Jesus Have a God? is the verses where the Son calls the Father his God, which is the other half of the same question.

The Christian Claim

Jesus is God. 1 Corinthians 8:6 1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionBut 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.1 Corinthians 8:6 · King James VersionOpen source is not a second deity beside the Father. It is the Shema’s one Lord and one God named as Father and Son, with one creation from the Father through the Son. The Trinity is that confession. What vs. Who: One Being, Three Persons is the distinction between one being and three persons. What Is the Deity of Christ? maps the other texts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “One God, the Father” Leave the Son Outside?

The verse names the Son in the same breath, as the one Lord through whom all things are. A reading that stops at “the Father” has not read the line Paul wrote.

Is “Lord” a Lower Title Than “God”?

In Deuteronomy 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionHear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionOpen source the Lord is God. Paul does not demote the word when he gives it to Jesus. Philippians 2:9–11 Philippians 2:9–11 · King James Version^2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ^2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ^2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:9–11 · King James VersionOpen source says every knee bows at the name of Jesus and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. That is Isaiah 45:23 Isaiah 45:23 · King James VersionI have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.Isaiah 45:23 · King James VersionOpen source, where the LORD says every knee will bow to him.

Keep Reading

References

First Letter to the Corinthians, 8:4–6 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 · King James Version^8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. ^8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) ^8:6 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.1 Corinthians 8:4–6 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
Deuteronomy, 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionHear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
Letter of Jude, 1:4 Jude 1:4 · King James VersionFor there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.Jude 1:4 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
Gospel of John, 1:1–3 John 1:1–3 · King James Version^1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ^1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. ^1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:1–3 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
The Christadelphian Statement of Faith, Clause 1 (The clause cites 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 for the one Father as the only true God.)
What We Believe, Statement of Faith, God (Church of God General Conference. Only one God, the Father alone, citing Deuteronomy 6:4 and Ephesians 4:6.)
New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) of the Holy Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 8:6 (2013 revision)1 Corinthians 8:6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him.1 Corinthians 8:6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open source (Study Edition. One God, the Father, from whom all things are, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are.)
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, 381