Divine Titles for Julio-Claudian Imperials in Corinth

Several scholars conclude that the inhabitants of Corinth considered Julio-Claudian family members to be lords. Some commentators propose that these figures were regarded as lords and gods. Therefore, 1 Cor 8:5 is a Pauline polemic against emperor worship. The evidence for both proposals is Paul’s use of κύριος and θεός in 1 Cor 8:5, titles that Greek cities bestowed on Julio-Claudians. These conclusions are problematic because they ignore the diversity of imperial worship and key evidence from Corinth. Data for Corinthian emperor veneration indicate that its imperial cults focused on deceased and officially deified emperors, divi, and the genius of the reigning emperor. This means that, while Corinthians regarded divi as divine, the divi were neither lords nor gods. Consequently, 1 Cor 8:5 is not a Pauline polemic coined to oppose imperial worship.