1 Corinthians 8:6

To us. Whatever the heathen might do or think, Christians should know that there is only one God, and He alone has the right to rule over them. There is not one God who rules over a portion of the human family and others who govern other sections of the world’s population. One God created all things, and by virtue of this act He has power and authority over everything on the earth.

Father. This title brings out the contrast between the Christian and the heathen view. The Christian believer knows God as his loving, compassionate, and understanding Father. He created all men; He provides all things needful for their happy existence; He protects them as a father does his children; He pities them in their sorrows, helps them to endure their trials, and in every way reveals Himself as their loving friend (see Ps. 68:5; 103:13; Jer. 31:9). The heathen have no idea of God as a father, but only as a mighty being who has great power and who must be placated.

Of whom. See on Rom. 11:36.

In him. Gr. eis auton, “unto him.” God is the goal of our existence.

By whom. Or, “through whom.” Through the agency of the Son all things in our material universe have come into being (see John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:16, 17; Heb. 1:2). The heathen claimed that there were many rulers and lords of the universe, but the Christians said there was only one. Paul here sets forth the great truth that God, and God alone, brought “all things” into existence, and that He did this through the active agency of Jesus Christ, the Son, who is the second person of the Godhead.

By him. Or, “through him.” Not only are we created through the intermediate agency of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are redeemed from sin through Him. All things, both creation and salvation, and everything that is included in those terms, come out from the Father through the mediation of Christ the Son.