Galatians 1:7

KJV

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which {G3739} is {G2076} not {G3756} another {G243}; but there be {G1526} some {G5100} that {G1508} trouble {G5015} you {G5209}, and {G2532} would {G2309} pervert {G3344} the gospel {G2098} of Christ {G5547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

which is not good news at all! What is really happening is that certain people are pestering you and trying to pervert the genuine Good News of the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible

which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

American Standard Version

which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 1:7 serves as a crucial clarification from the Apostle Paul, immediately following his astonishment at the Galatians' swift departure from the true gospel. He asserts with unwavering conviction that there is no legitimate alternative gospel; what is being presented to them is not merely "another" message, but a deliberate and destructive perversion of the singular, saving truth centered on Christ. This verse identifies the agents of this distortion as individuals who actively trouble the believers by corrupting the pure message of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an immediate and forceful follow-up to Paul's expression of "marvel" in [Galatians 1:6](/galatians/1-6 "Galatians 1:6 - Paul's Astonishment at the Galatians' Departure"), where he laments that the Galatians are "so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel." Verse 7 clarifies that this "different gospel" is not a valid alternative but a non-existent entity, a mere distortion. It sets the stage for Paul's vigorous defense of the true gospel of grace and his apostolic authority throughout the remainder of the letter, emphasizing the singular nature of the message of salvation and the severe consequences of corrupting it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia (likely located in the Roman province of Galatia, modern-day central Turkey) were being infiltrated by a group commonly referred to as Judaizers. These were Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must adhere to certain aspects of the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ, to be truly saved or fully righteous. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel, which proclaimed salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, apart from works of the Law (as powerfully articulated in [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith Alone")). The Judaizers likely leveraged their Jewish heritage and claims of closer ties to the original apostles in Jerusalem to undermine Paul's authority and message, causing significant confusion and division within the young Galatian congregations.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 1:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the epistle. Firstly, it underscores **The Uniqueness and Exclusivity of the Gospel**, vehemently denying the possibility of any other legitimate path to salvation beyond the one revealed in Christ. Secondly, it highlights **The Danger and Destructive Nature of False Teaching**, portraying it not as a benign alternative but as an active "troubling" and "perversion" that leads believers astray from the truth of [the gospel of Christ](/galatians/1-7 "Galatians 1:7 - The Gospel of Christ"). Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Doctrinal Purity and Apostolic Authority**, as Paul, through his strong language, defends the integrity of the message he received directly from Christ, which he will elaborate on in [Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul's Divine Revelation of the Gospel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **another (Greek, _állos'_):** This word, G243, means "else," or "different." Paul uses it in [Galatians 1:6](/galatians/1-6 "Galatians 1:6 - The Different Gospel") to describe the "different gospel" the Galatians are turning to. However, in verse 7, he immediately qualifies it by stating, "Which is not another." This implies that while it *appears* to be a different gospel, it is not truly "another" of the same kind (i.e., a valid gospel), but rather something fundamentally distinct and illegitimate. It's a play on words to emphasize its fraudulent nature.
* **trouble (Greek, _tarássō'_):** G5015, meaning "to stir or agitate (roil water)." This word conveys the disruptive and unsettling effect of the false teachers on the Galatian believers. It suggests mental and spiritual agitation, causing confusion, anxiety, and a departure from their previous stability in the truth. The false teaching was not merely academic but deeply unsettling to their faith and peace.
* **pervert (Greek, _metastréphō'_):** G3344, meaning "to turn across, i.e., transmute or (figuratively) corrupt." This is a strong term indicating a complete reversal or fundamental alteration of something from its original state. It's not just an addition or a slight modification; it's a twisting, a distortion, or a corruption that renders the original message ineffective and indeed, "no gospel at all." Paul's choice of this word underscores the severe and destructive nature of the Judaizers' actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which is not another":** This clause directly refutes the idea that there could be a legitimate alternative gospel. Paul emphatically states that the "different gospel" mentioned in the previous verse is not a valid, distinct gospel from the one he preached. It is a non-entity in terms of truth and divine origin.
* **"but there be some that trouble you":** This identifies the active agents behind the false teaching. "Some" refers to the Judaizers, who were actively disrupting the peace and faith of the Galatian believers. Their teaching caused confusion, doubt, and spiritual agitation, leading the believers astray from the simplicity of Christ's message.
* **"and would pervert the gospel of Christ":** This specifies the nature of the false teachers' actions. They are not merely adding to or misunderstanding the gospel; they are actively twisting, corrupting, and fundamentally altering its core message. The phrase "the gospel of Christ" emphasizes that the true gospel is centered entirely on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and any alteration of this focus constitutes a perversion.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in Galatians 1:7 to convey the gravity of the situation. **Antithesis** is evident in the contrast between "not another" and "pervert the gospel," highlighting that what appears to be an alternative is, in reality, a destructive distortion of the singular truth. The strong verbs "trouble" and "pervert" demonstrate **Hyperbole** or intense language, reflecting Paul's profound indignation and the severe spiritual danger posed by the false teaching. The phrase "gospel of Christ" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "Christ" stands for the entire redemptive work and person of Jesus, emphasizing that any deviation from this central figure is a corruption of the message itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 1:7 is foundational for understanding the absolute uniqueness and purity of the Christian gospel. Theologically, it asserts that salvation is not a mutable concept open to redefinition or supplementation by human effort or tradition. The "gospel of Christ" is a singular divine revelation, complete and sufficient in itself, centered on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Any attempt to add conditions, rituals, or works to this message fundamentally corrupts its nature, transforming it from good news of grace into a burdensome system of human achievement. This verse underscores the critical importance of doctrinal fidelity and the grave responsibility of those who teach within the church, as perverting the gospel leads people away from the true source of life and righteousness.

* [Galatians 1:6](/galatians/1-6 "Galatians 1:6 - The Galatians' Swift Departure")
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith Apart from Works of the Law")
* [2 Corinthians 11:4](/2_corinthians/11-4 "2 Corinthians 11:4 - Another Jesus, Spirit, and Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 1:7 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for believers in every generation. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, to be vigilant against teachings that subtly, or overtly, deviate from the core truth of the gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. In a world saturated with diverse spiritual messages, it is crucial to continually test what we hear against the unchanging standard of God's Word. Any message that adds human works, personal merit, or cultural traditions as necessary components for salvation, or that diminishes the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work, is a perversion of the true gospel. Paul's uncompromising stance encourages us to stand firm, to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints, and to protect the purity of the message that brings true freedom and life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between true gospel teaching and a perversion of it in my daily life?**
* **What aspects of the gospel am I most susceptible to having "troubled" or "perverted" in my own understanding or practice?**
* **How can I actively defend and uphold the purity of the gospel in my sphere of influence, whether in my church, family, or community?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "Which is not another" gospel?**

Answer: Paul means that there is no legitimate or valid alternative gospel. The message being preached by the Judaizers in Galatia was not simply a different version of the good news; it was a complete distortion that rendered it "no gospel at all." He is emphasizing the singular and exclusive nature of the true gospel of Christ, implying that any deviation from it is a corruption, not merely an alternative path.

**Who were "some that trouble you" in Galatians 1:7?**

Answer: The phrase "some that trouble you" primarily refers to the Judaizers. These were Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must adhere to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ, to be truly saved or fully righteous. Their teaching caused significant spiritual agitation and confusion among the Galatian believers, leading them away from the simplicity and freedom found in the gospel of grace. This issue was a major point of contention in the early church, as seen in [Acts 15:1-2](/acts/15-1-2 "Acts 15:1-2 - The Dispute in Antioch").

**Why is "perverting the gospel" considered such a serious offense by Paul?**

Answer: Perverting the gospel is a grave offense because it fundamentally alters the message of salvation. The true [gospel of Christ](/galatians/1-7 "Galatians 1:7 - The Gospel of Christ") proclaims salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus' finished work on the cross. To "pervert" it means to twist or corrupt this message, typically by adding human works, rituals, or conditions as necessary for salvation. This undermines the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, nullifies God's grace, and leads people away from true spiritual freedom and righteousness, effectively offering a false hope that cannot save. Paul considers it so serious that he pronounces a curse on anyone, even an angel, who preaches a different gospel in [Galatians 1:8-9](/galatians/1-8-9 "Galatians 1:8-9 - Paul's Anathema on False Teachers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 1:7, by passionately defending the singular "gospel of Christ," inherently points to the exclusivity and supremacy of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation. The "gospel" is not a set of abstract principles or a system of human achievements, but the good news about a person—Jesus Christ—and His finished work. Any teaching that "perverts" this gospel does so by diminishing Christ's unique role, His perfect sacrifice, or His absolute sufficiency. The Judaizers' insistence on circumcision and law-keeping effectively undermined the truth that [Christ is the end of the law for righteousness](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law"). The "gospel of Christ" is fulfilled in the Person of Jesus, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, perfectly accomplished what no human effort or legalistic system ever could. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [one mediator between God and mankind](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator"), and the [author and perfecter of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Faith"). To pervert His gospel is to deny His unique glory and His all-sufficient work, thereby leading people away from the only source of true life and salvation found in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 15:24

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

Romans 16:17

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Galatians 5:10

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Acts 15:1

¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 15:5

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.

2 Corinthians 11:13

For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.