Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 8:4

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols , we know that an idol is nothing in the world , and that there is none other God but one .

Meat which is part of that Sacrifice which hath been offered to an Idol, whether it be to be eaten in the Idol-Temple, or in a private house.

We know that an Image or an Idol, the representation of some other thing, though in respect of the matter it be something, either wood, stone, or earth, and in respect of form it be something, yet it is nothing formally, or representatively, it is set up to represent to us a Delty, there is nothing of a Divine Nature, or the representation of a Divine Nature in it. It is nothing of what the poor blind Heathen take it to be, and therefore in the Hebrew it hath its name from a word [non-Latin text not transcribed] that signifieth nothing, Iob 13.14. Zech. 11.17. Or it is nothing that can either sanctifie, or pollute any meat that is set before it.

And we know that there is none other God but one: the Apostle may be conceived to have spoken these words as from himself, granting what those said, who took themselves to be men of knowledge. Or else in the language of those who thus spake, repeating their words.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 41.24. [illegible: 1 word]. 10.19.