For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, &c.— This is an allusion to the famed division of the heathen gods into celestial and terrestrial. The former, whom they called Θεοι, gods, they supposed to reside generally in the heavens. The latter, whom they called Δαιμονες, they supposed to reside for the most part upon the earth, or in the sea, and, performing the office of mediators between the superior gods and men, directed terrestrial affairs.These in the Old Testament are called Baalim; and by St. Paul, Lords; which is the literal translation of Baalim. They had also infernal gods and goddesses, such as Pluto,
Proserpine, Rhadamanthus, &c. who ruled in the invisible world, judged the dead immediately on their death, and appointed them habitations according to their different characters.