Paul spoke of a gospel other than the one true gospel.
Gal 1: 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ,
to a different gospel, 7 which
is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you,
let him be accursed. 9 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.
1. What are these gospels?
2. Why did paul say that those who teach one of these gospels should be accursed "anathema" which means literally damned?
The Context of Galatians 1:6-9
In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul addresses the issue of false gospels infiltrating the Galatian churches. He expresses astonishment that the Galatians are turning away from the true gospel of Christ to a different gospel, which is, in fact, a distortion of the true gospel. Paul strongly condemns anyone preaching a gospel contrary to the one he preached, emphasizing the seriousness of maintaining the purity of the Christian message.
1. What are these "Different Gospels"?
Jewish Legalism (Judaizers)
The primary false gospel Paul is addressing in Galatians is that of the Judaizers. These were Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, dietary laws, and other Jewish customs, to be fully accepted as Christians. This teaching contradicted the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
Human Effort and Works-Based Righteousness
Another aspect of the false gospel involves any teaching that adds human effort or works to the basis of salvation. The true gospel, as Paul preached, emphasizes that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Any deviation that incorporates human merit into the equation distorts the gospel.
Gnostic Influences
In the broader context of early Christianity, other false gospels included Gnostic teachings. Gnosticism was a heretical movement that claimed secret knowledge (gnosis) as the path to salvation and often denied the humanity of Christ, promoting a dualistic view of reality that undermined the incarnation and atoning work of Jesus.
Other Religions and Philosophies
In the pluralistic environment of the ancient Mediterranean world, there were numerous religious and philosophical systems. Any attempt to blend the gospel with these systems, creating syncretistic beliefs that diluted or contradicted the core message of Christ, constituted a false gospel.
2. Why Did Paul Say That Those Who Teach a Different Gospel Should Be Accursed (Anathema)?
The Gravity of the Gospel Message
Paul’s use of the term "anathema" (ἀνάθεμα), which means "accursed" or "damned," underscores the gravity of perverting the gospel. The gospel is the foundational truth of Christianity, and altering it undermines the very basis of salvation. By preaching a false gospel, individuals are leading others away from the truth, jeopardizing their eternal destiny.
The Centrality of Christ's Work
The true gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ—His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It proclaims that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Any teaching that deviates from this core message denies the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work and misleads believers.
Protecting the Integrity of the Faith
Paul’s stern warning serves to protect the integrity of the Christian faith. By declaring that anyone, even an angel, preaching a different gospel should be accursed, Paul emphasizes that the message he received from Christ and delivered to the churches is unchangeable. This serves as a safeguard against heresy and ensures that the truth of the gospel remains pure and effective for salvation.
Consequences of False Teaching
False teaching has severe consequences. It can lead believers astray, create divisions within the church, and ultimately result in spiritual ruin. By pronouncing a curse on those who preach a different gospel, Paul highlights the eternal consequences of such actions and the importance of adhering to the true message of Christ.
Conclusion
Paul’s admonition in Galatians 1:6-9 against turning to a different gospel reflects the critical importance of preserving the purity of the gospel message. The different gospels he refers to include legalistic teachings, works-based righteousness, Gnostic influences, and any syncretistic blending of the gospel with other religious or philosophical systems. Paul’s declaration that those who preach a false gospel should be accursed underscores the seriousness of this issue, as it affects the salvation of believers and the integrity of the Christian faith. His strong language serves as a protective measure to ensure that the true gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ remains unadulterated and faithfully proclaimed.
Gal 1:6 I am amazed Θαυμάζω that ὅτι so οὕτως quickly ταχέως you are deserting μετατίθεσθε from ἀπὸ the [One] τοῦ having called καλέσαντος you ὑμᾶς in ἐν [the] grace χάριτι of Christ Χριστοῦ to εἰς another ἕτερον gospel, εὐαγγέλιον,
Gal 1:7 which ὃ is ἔστιν not οὐκ another, ἄλλο· except εἰ . . . μή there are εἰσιν some τινές who οἱ are troubling ταράσσοντες you ὑμᾶς and καὶ are desiring θέλοντες to pervert μεταστρέψαι the τὸ gospel εὐαγγέλιον - τοῦ of Christ. Χριστοῦ.
1) "Which is not another," (ho ouk estin allo) "which is (exists) not (as) another (gospel)," For there actually exists only one true gospel, Joh_14:6; Act_4:12; Act_10:43.
2) "But there be some that trouble you," (ei me tines eisen hoi tarasontes humas) "Only there are some continually troubling you all;” They were “self-appointed," independent evangelists, religious egotists, who had gone out on their own from the Jerusalem church, as a "self -authorized" "truth-squad" of religious politicians, hounding Paul in his ministry labors; See Act_15:1; Act_15:5; Act_15:24; Gal_5:10; Gal_5:12.
3) "And would pervert the gospel of Christ," (kai thelontes metastrepsai to euangelion tou Christou) "and strongly wishing to pervert the gospel of Christ;" as Paul warned 2Co_2:17; 2Co_11:13-15; Act_15:24.
NOTE: in Act_15:1; Act_15:5; Act_15:24 those "certain ones," who "went out" from the Jerusalem church, "of their own independent, isolated accord, without sanction of the church, were and became doctrinal and moral leaven to pollute, despoil, and pervert the gospel of Christ.
another -- "allon" another of the same kind. (See previous verse for the distinction between heteron an allon.
In order to make this point, he uses the two adjectives heteros (‘another’ in the sense of ‘different’) and allos (‘another’ in the sense of ‘a second’). - Stott
The message of the false teachers was not an alternative gospel; it was a perverted gospel.
How can we recognize the true gospel? Its marks are given us here. They concern its substance (what it is) and its source (where it comes from). - Stott
trouble -- To create a doubt in people's mind; perplexed, anxiety, unrest.
The Greek word could be translated “disturb” and means “to shake back and forth,” meaning to agitate or stir up. Here, it refers to the deep emotional disturbance the Galatian believers experienced. - MSB
pervert -- metastrepho, (met-as-tref'-o) From G3326 and G4762; to turn across, that is, transmute or (figuratively) corrupt: - pervert, to turn.
Their desire and determination are to ‘reverse, to change to the opposite, and so stronger than to pervert or distort’ (Lightfoot). Paul regarded the new doctrine as subversive of the truth and utterly incompatible with the Gospel which he preached. - CBSC
They probably are Judaizers (see note on Judaizers Gal_2:14). The term Judaizer refers to people who zealously promote a Jewish lifestyle according to the law and Jewish tradition. In this case, they were persuading the Galatians to practice circumcision (Gal_6:12), as well as observe food laws (Gal_2:12) and certain calendar cycles (Gal_4:10). - FSB
the gospel of Christ -- It is well to note that in “the gospel of Christ” the genitive denotes the author. It is the gospel which emanates from Christ, which he has entrusted to his apostle. This is not the objective genitive: the gospel “about” Christ. - Lenski
Christ is at once its Author, its theme, its substance. Elsewhere it is termed the ‘Gospel of God’ (Rom_1:1), and the ‘Gospel of His Son’ (Rom_1:9). - CBSC
...people whose goal is to “pervert” the good news about Christ (see also Gal_5:7, Gal_5:10). - NICNT
FALSE TEACHERS - 2Co_11:13-15, 2Ti_4:2-4, 1Ti_4:1-3, Mat_24:24, Act_20:28-30, Gal_1:7-9, Deu_18:21-22.
To Support false teachers is Sinful- 2Jn_1:10-11.
