Galatians 1 9

Galatians 1:9 kjv

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 nkjv

As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 niv

As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!

Galatians 1:9 esv

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 nlt

I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

Galatians 1 verses

Galatians 1 9 Meaning

Galatians 1:9 strongly condemns any preaching that deviates from the true gospel previously delivered and received by the Galatians. It reiterates with intensified force the divine judgment of being "accursed" upon anyone—regardless of their apparent authority or origin—who promulgates a distorted version of Christ's saving message. The verse emphasizes the absolute purity and non-negotiable nature of the gospel, asserting that any attempt to alter or add to it renders the message void and brings a curse upon the preacher.

Galatians 1 9 Context

Galatians chapter 1 serves as Paul's intense and immediate defense of his apostolic authority and, more importantly, the purity of the gospel message he preached. Paul is addressing a critical theological crisis in the Galatian churches: Judaizers had infiltrated, asserting that Gentile believers must adopt Jewish customs, particularly circumcision and observance of the Mosaic Law, to truly be saved and belong to Christ. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. Verses 6 and 7 express Paul's astonishment and distress that the Galatians are so quickly deserting the one who called them by grace for "a different gospel," which he clarifies is "really no gospel at all" but a perversion. Verse 8 introduces the severe anathema for any false gospel preacher. Verse 9 then emphatically reiterates this condemnation, reinforcing its seriousness and immutability. Paul is leaving no room for misunderstanding or compromise on the absolute necessity of gospel integrity.

Galatians 1 9 Word analysis

• As we have said before (καθὼς προειρήκαμεν, kathōs proeirēkamen):

  • This phrase directly links back to the immediately preceding verse (Gal 1:8).
  • Signifies repetition, emphasizing Paul's seriousness and certainty. He's not speaking hastily or retracting.
  • Highlights the settled nature of the truth.

• so now I say again (καὶ ἄρτι πάλιν λέγω, kai arti palin legō):

  • Reinforces the "before" statement with renewed emphasis.
  • Shows a deliberate, strong reaffirmation of the judgment. It's not a casual warning but a firm, declared sentence.
  • Emphasizes the critical importance Paul places on the message's purity.

• If anyone (εἴ τις, ei tis):

  • Indicates a universal condition, not directed at specific individuals.
  • Inclusive, meaning "anyone at all," encompassing even highly esteemed figures like angels or apostles (as in Gal 1:8).
  • Underscores that authority, status, or origin does not excuse gospel distortion.

• is preaching (εὐαγγελίζηται, euangelizētai):

  • From euangelizō, to announce good news. Here used ironically for "preaching" bad news masquerading as good.
  • Present tense implies ongoing action, a continued proclamation.
  • Refers to the act of publicly declaring and teaching.

• to you (ὑμῖν, hymin):

  • The direct recipients are the Galatian believers.
  • Implies the danger is imminent and affecting their church community directly.
  • By extension, it speaks to any church group that might receive a false gospel.

• a gospel (εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion):

  • The fundamental term for the "good news" of salvation through Christ.
  • Here, it's juxtaposed with the idea of being "contrary," showing that the "good news" can be twisted into something utterly bad.

• contrary to (παρ’ ὅ, par' ho - lit. "beside which"):

  • The Greek preposition para means "beside, alongside," but also "beyond, against, contrary to."
  • It does not mean simply "different," but signifies a deviation, distortion, or corruption. Something presented as the gospel, but actually moving away from or opposed to the true message.
  • Implies a perversion rather than merely an alternative or addition; it undermines the very essence of the received truth.

• the one you received (παρελάβετε, parelabete - lit. "which you received"):

  • From paralambanō, meaning to receive alongside, to receive from another.
  • Emphasizes that the Galatians already had the true gospel, delivered to them by Paul and accepted by them.
  • This "received" gospel represents the authoritative apostolic tradition, a fixed standard against which all other "gospels" are measured.

• let him be accursed (ἀνάθεμα ἔστω, anathema estō):

  • Anathema (ἀνάθεμα): A powerful term signifying devotion to destruction, a curse, excommunication, separation from God and blessing.
    • In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent herem often referred to something devoted to God, usually for destruction (e.g., in war, cities devoted to total destruction) or a permanent sacred dedication to God that cannot be redeemed (e.g., Lev 27:28-29).
    • In Paul's context, it signifies utter divine judgment, being condemned by God and cut off from His salvation.
  • estō (ἔστω): Imperative, meaning "let him be." This is not a human wish or personal anger but a solemn, declarative judgment, an appeal to divine sanction.
  • It is the strongest possible form of denunciation Paul could use, reflecting the gravity of perverting the gospel.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "As we have said before, so now I say again": This repetition elevates the severity and certainty of the preceding and following statement. It underscores Paul's steadfast conviction and the non-negotiable nature of the anathema. It's a double confirmation.
  • "a gospel contrary to the one you received": This highlights the fundamental conflict. The issue isn't superficial disagreement but a corruption of the very foundation of faith. The true gospel is an objective truth "received," a standard. Anything "contrary" to it is condemned.

Galatians 1 9 Bonus section

The vehemence of Paul's language in Galatians 1:9, mirroring verse 8, demonstrates the profound weight Paul placed on doctrinal accuracy regarding the gospel. His primary concern was not organizational unity or placating dissenters, but preserving the truth that secures salvation. This intensity is especially striking because Paul often displayed flexibility in non-essential matters (e.g., cultural practices); however, when the very heart of the gospel was at stake, compromise was impossible. The twice-repeated "accursed" functions as an oath-like solemn pronouncement, cementing the absolute incompatibility of the true gospel with any addition or alteration that detracts from Christ's exclusive saving work by grace through faith. It implicitly defines the boundaries of true Christian teaching and communion.

Galatians 1 9 Commentary

Galatians 1:9 encapsulates Paul's unyielding stance on the integrity of the gospel message. He isn't merely cautioning against false teachers; he's pronouncing a divinely sanctioned curse upon them. This is not driven by personal pique but by a profound understanding that a corrupted gospel is no gospel at all, rendering Christ's work ineffective and leading souls astray from true salvation.

The power of the verse lies in its strong language, particularly "accursed" (anathema). This word is rooted in Old Testament concepts of dedication to destruction or removal from God's presence, signifying a dire spiritual state. Paul applies this severe condemnation to anyone who presents a "gospel contrary" to what the Galatians received. The emphasis on "received" gospel highlights that the message is a divine deposit, entrusted to the apostles and faithfully passed on, serving as the unchanging standard.

The core theological issue addressed is justification by faith alone versus justification by faith plus works of the Law. By adding requirements like circumcision to salvation, the Judaizers undermined the sufficiency of Christ's work and the nature of God's grace. For Paul, this addition was not a minor deviation but a total perversion, negating the true good news and essentially creating a different path to righteousness. The anathema, therefore, signifies the absolute separation of the perverted message and its proponents from God's salvific truth and blessing. It serves as a stark warning to preserve the purity of the faith against any syncretistic tendencies.