yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV
This verse mirrors Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” This is known as the Shema and is a part of the daily prayers for observant Jews. It is the centerpiece of their prayer life. Paul copies the Shema here in 1 Corinthians 8:6 amid his discussion of eating meat sacrificed to idols. He acknowledges that there is some reality to the gods that other people worship. But for us as believers, there is only one God and Lord.
The Shema declares the monotheistic nature of Israel’s faith. And Paul is copying that declaration. But as he states it, he includes both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as that one God. The Greek word translated here as Lord is kyrios. This word translates the Hebrew name of God, YHWH, into Greek. Throughout the New Testament texts, when the Greek word theos is used, it refers to God the Father. And when kyrios is used, it refers to Jesus. Together with the Holy Spirit, they form the triune God of Christianity. Three distinct persons with a single essence.
I certainly do not begin to fully understand the triune nature of God. Much of who God is and what he does is beyond my comprehension. But I am grateful that he loves me. And that I can live for and through him.
