The so-called "gods" are demons

[tonychanyt]

The Greek word for God is G2316-Θεὸς.

There are two Greeks words for the English concept of demons. G1142-δαίμων appears exactly once in Matthew 8:31. Wiki:

While δαίμων was sometimes used interchangeably with θεός (theós), when used together in a context, a δαίμων is usually a lower god than a θεός (theós).​

The second word G1140-δαιμόνιον appears 63 times. Wiki:

1. the divine Power, the Deity, the Divinity
2. an inferior divine being, demon

BDAG δαιμόνιον:

in Gk. lit. the δαιμον-family refers in general to powerful entities that transcend ordinary experience. After Homer’s time, the adj. δαιμόνιος means anything ‘sent from heaven’ or ‘that which is divine’ and the subst. τὸ δ. comes to mean ‘divine manifestation’ or ‘heaven’, as in our expression ‘what heaven decrees’​

In either case, the general usage of the Greek words for demon overlaps with Θεὸς-god for divinity.

There is only one true God, 1 Corinthians 8:

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God [Θεὸς G2316, singular] but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods [G2316, plural] in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” [G2316] and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Other so-called "gods" are demons, 1 Corinthians 10:

19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons [G1140] and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.

G1140-demons often refers to angels fallen from heaven in the NT. Once, they may be so-called G2316-gods in heaven. Paul was using Greek words to express Hebrew concepts. He attempted to make some clarifications in these passages about God, gods, and demons.

 

[trophy33]

Demons are not in heaven, but Paul says that there may be so called gods in heaven.

Actually, Paul is saying two independent things in those two texts:

The 1st text - there may be some other gods, in heaven or on earth, but we, Christians, consider only the highest one, the Creator, to be worthy of worship - the true God.

The 2nd text - in the context of Corinth and ancient Greek culture in general, Paul is saying that the food their offer their idols, they sacrifice to demons. There is no connection to a generalization "all so called gods are demons".

But the definition of gods, demons, idols would be needed for a more precise argumentation.

 

[tonychanyt]

Demons are not in heaven,

verse?

 

[trophy33]

verse?

There is no verse "There are no demons in heaven".

That they are not there is derived from common definitions of demons (being either fallen angels or children of angels and women in Gen 6).

And there is no verse saying that demons can be so called gods. When we consider the New Testament demons, those are depicted as quite desperate and dependent beings, not as beings Greeks or Romans would call "gods".

When Paul says that Gentiles think they sacrifice to their idols, but instead they sacrifice to demons, probably some cultural context is lost there. Maybe some demons could somehow interact with the statue of an idol to perform some small miracles? But we are in the wild waters of speculation here, Paul does not say more info about that.

 

[tonychanyt]

Demons are not in heaven, but Paul says that there may be so called gods in heaven.

Actually, Paul is saying two independent things in those two texts:

The 1st text - there may be some other gods, in heaven or on earth, but we, Christians, consider only the highest one, the Creator, to be worthy of worship - the true God.

The 2nd text - in the context of Corinth and ancient Greek culture in general, Paul is saying that the food their offer their idols, they sacrifice to demons. There is no connection to a generalization "all so called gods are demons".

But the definition of gods, demons, idols would be needed for a more precise argumentation.

Right. I modified my OP. Take another look

 

[Dosblade]

Not sure what your trying to say. Did you just find this out? Who did you think they were OT NT offering all that if not to God? It was some evil spirit/demon. Yeap... the reason they did it was they believed it or made up some false fake god that was nothing. Lets not give any glory to Satan

 

[tonychanyt]

Lets not give any glory to Satan

Can you quote my words where I have done it?