Ye Are Gods
Can you please comment or explain Psalm 82:6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
See All... where God says, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." I know in John 10:34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
See All... Jesus makes reference to this passage. I have family members who are Mormons and they use these verses to promote their belief that they will one day become gods.
The title, god, carries the idea of one who is exalted and powerful. Only God has all power and is fully exalted. In this sense, He alone is God (Psalm 86:8-10 [8] Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
[9] All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
[10] For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
See All...; Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
See All...; 45:22
See All...). We are to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
See All...).
Yet, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 [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.
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
[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.
See All... tells us that there are many that be called gods: "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God." Here, we see that there are beings called gods both in heaven and in earth. In Genesis 3:5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
See All..., one of the temptations by the serpent is that by eating the forbidden fruit men can be "as gods." But who are these human gods?
Exodus 22:28Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
See All... Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Here, the rulers of the people are connected with gods. Their power over others gives them a position similar to that of gods.
Psalm 82:6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
See All... I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
In this psalm, God is declared to be the great Judge of all the earth (v.1). He is contrasted with the earthly judges who "judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked" (v.2). They are the ones who are called gods. A god is one who is exalted and powerful. He makes decisions in the lives of others. These powerful men were gods (not God) because of their power, but because of their unjust judgment they will "die like men, and fall like one of the princes" (v.7). Their power will not keep them from death or from their own judgment.
These verses have nothing to do with the Mormon doctrine of men becoming gods. It only has to do with a parallel use of the word god for the purpose of showing the power and thereby the responsibility of certain positions on earth.