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.

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G5613} we said before {G4280}, so {G2532} say I {G3004} now {G737} again {G3825}, If any {G1536} man preach {G2097} any other {G3844} gospel {G2097} unto you {G5209} than {G3844} that {G3739} ye have received {G3880}, let him be {G2077} accursed {G331}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We said it before, and I say it again: if anyone announces “Good News” contrary to what you received, let him be under a curse forever!

Berean Standard Bible

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 under a curse!

American Standard Version

As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 1:9 delivers a forceful and repeated anathema against anyone who preaches a gospel different from the one the Galatian believers initially received. This verse underscores the Apostle Paul's unwavering commitment to the singular truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its absolute purity and the severe divine judgment awaiting those who dare to distort or deviate from it. It serves as a stark warning against theological compromise and a profound affirmation of the gospel's unchangeable nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Paul's initial, equally strong condemnation in [Galatians 1:8](/galatians/1-8 "Galatians 1:8 - Paul's First Anathema"). The repetition, "As we said before, so say I now again," functions as a powerful rhetorical device, doubling down on the severity of the warning. Paul is not merely reiterating a point; he is intensifying it, demonstrating the gravity of the situation and his unyielding stance. This double anathema sets the uncompromising tone for the entire letter, establishing the non-negotiable nature of the gospel message before Paul delves into his personal testimony and theological arguments in subsequent chapters. It positions the gospel's integrity as the foundational issue at stake.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia were facing a significant crisis. False teachers, often identified as Judaizers, had infiltrated the congregations, propagating a distorted message that salvation required adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ. This directly contradicted the gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone, which Paul had originally preached to them. Such a message was appealing to some Jewish Christians who struggled to fully break from their heritage and to Gentiles who might have sought a more tangible sign of their conversion. The cultural pressure to conform to Jewish practices was strong, and Paul's uncompromising stance was radical in its rejection of any syncretism that compromised the finished work of Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 1:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the epistle. Firstly, it champions the **Uncompromising Purity of the Gospel**, asserting that there is only one true gospel, the good news of salvation through faith in Christ's finished work, as articulated in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). Any addition or subtraction fundamentally corrupts this divine truth. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Judgment on False Teaching**, demonstrating God's intense displeasure with those who lead people astray from the genuine path to salvation. The severity of the "accursed" pronouncement underscores the eternal consequences of such theological perversion, a theme echoed in [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - Warnings Against False Teachers"). Lastly, it showcases **Paul's Apostolic Authority and Zeal**, as he fearlessly defends the gospel's integrity, even against hypothetical angels or himself, reinforcing his divinely appointed role as an apostle of Christ, a calling he defends throughout [Galatians 1](/galatians/1 "Galatians 1 - Paul's Apostolic Defense").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **preach/gospel (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** This verb means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize," specifically referring to the proclamation of the gospel. The repetition of this root in the phrase "preach any other gospel" (KJV) highlights the very nature of the false teachers' activity: they were proclaiming a message that purported to be good news but was, in fact, a perversion. Paul uses the term to denote the act of declaring the divine message, underscoring that the *content* of that message is paramount.
* **other/than (Greek, _pará'_):** This preposition, used here in a comparative sense, signifies "beside," "beyond," "contrary to," or "different from." When Paul speaks of "any other gospel... than that ye have received," `pará` conveys the idea of a message that stands *contrary to* or *goes beyond* the authentic gospel. It's not merely a variation, but an opposing or additional message that fundamentally alters the nature of the true good news, rendering it illegitimate.
* **accursed (Greek, _anáthema'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to set up" or "to devote," `anáthema` in this context signifies something or someone devoted to destruction, separated from God, or placed under a divine curse. It's a declaration of severe spiritual condemnation, implying excommunication from God's favor and eternal judgment. This term is not merely strong disapproval but a solemn pronouncement of divine wrath against those who corrupt the foundational truth of salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As we said before, so say I now again,"**: This opening clause emphasizes the deliberate and repeated nature of Paul's warning. "As we said before" likely refers to his verbal instruction to them during his previous visits or through his initial preaching, while "so say I now again" reiterates it with written authority, underscoring the unchanging and vital importance of the message. It highlights Paul's consistency and the gospel's immutability.
* **"If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you"**: This hypothetical condition addresses the core issue: the propagation of a different message. The phrase "any other gospel" (using the sense of `pará` as "contrary to" or "beyond") points to a message that deviates from the true good news. It implies that even a slight alteration or addition to the gospel fundamentally changes its nature, transforming it into something false and dangerous.
* **"than that ye have received,"**: This clause serves as the benchmark against which all preached messages must be measured. "That ye have received" refers to the authentic gospel message that Paul initially delivered to the Galatians—the pure, unadulterated truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. This establishes the objective standard for orthodoxy.
* **"let him be accursed."**: This is the severe consequence pronounced upon those who preach a distorted gospel. The imperative "let him be" (G2077, _éstō_) makes it a divine decree, not merely a human wish. "Accursed" (G331, _anáthema_) signifies a state of being separated from God's blessing and subjected to His divine judgment. It underscores the profound seriousness of tampering with God's saving truth.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Galatians 1:9 to convey the extreme gravity of his message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as he explicitly states, "As we said before, so say I now again," immediately following the identical curse in [Galatians 1:8](/galatians/1-8 "Galatians 1:8 - Paul's Double Anathema"). This doubling of the anathema creates an overwhelming sense of urgency and non-negotiability, ensuring the Galatians grasp the absolute seriousness of the theological error. Furthermore, Paul uses **Hyperbole** or extreme language with the term "accursed" (_anáthema_). While literally meaning "devoted to destruction," its application here is a dramatic and forceful declaration of divine condemnation, designed to shock and impress upon the readers the eternal consequences of distorting the gospel. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the "other gospel" and "that ye have received," setting up a stark dichotomy between truth and error, light and darkness, salvation and condemnation. This contrast leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the singular nature of the true gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 1:9 is a foundational statement on the unalterable nature of the gospel and the severe consequences of its perversion. It underscores the theological principle that salvation is exclusively by God's grace through faith in Christ's finished work, without any human additions or meritorious deeds. To preach "another gospel" is not merely to offer a different perspective; it is to undermine the very sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and to lead people away from the only path to reconciliation with God. This verse reveals God's profound jealousy for His truth and His unwavering commitment to protect the integrity of the message by which humanity is saved. It calls believers to a vigilant discernment, recognizing that the purity of the gospel is paramount to genuine faith and eternal life.

* [2 Corinthians 11:4](/2_corinthians/11-4 "2 Corinthians 11:4 - Warning Against Another Jesus")
* [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word")
* [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Revelation 22:18-19 - Warning Against Adding to or Taking Away from Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 1:9 stands as an enduring sentinel for all who claim the name of Christ, urging unwavering commitment to the pure gospel. In an age of diverse spiritual claims and fluid theological interpretations, this verse calls us to a profound vigilance and discernment. It compels us to rigorously examine any teaching that deviates from the core message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, without the addition of human works, rituals, or philosophies. We are reminded that the gospel's power lies in its simplicity and its divine origin, not in its adaptability to cultural trends or human preferences. Therefore, believers are not only called to *believe* the true gospel but also to *guard* it fiercely, ensuring its accurate proclamation for future generations. This requires a deep immersion in the inspired Word of God, a humble reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding, and a courageous willingness to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific teachings or cultural pressures in our modern context might subtly introduce "another gospel" into Christian thought or practice?**
* **How can individual believers cultivate greater discernment to recognize deviations from the true gospel, as described by Paul?**
* **What is my personal responsibility in upholding and defending the purity of the gospel message within my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ

**What exactly constitutes "another gospel" that Paul condemns so severely?**

Answer: "Another gospel" is any message that adds to, subtracts from, or fundamentally alters the core truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In the Galatian context, it was the teaching that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law in addition to believing in Jesus to be truly saved. This effectively made salvation dependent on human effort and ritual rather than solely on Christ's finished work. Today, "another gospel" could include messages that emphasize works-righteousness, deny the deity or humanity of Christ, promote universalism apart from faith in Christ, or suggest that human merit or special knowledge is necessary for salvation, thereby diminishing the [sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice").

**Why is Paul's language so harsh ("let him be accursed") when addressing those who preach a different gospel?**

Answer: Paul's harsh language reflects the supreme importance and eternal consequences of the gospel message. To preach "another gospel" is not a minor theological disagreement but an act that leads people away from the only path to salvation, effectively condemning them. The term "accursed" (Greek _anáthema_) signifies a solemn divine judgment, a declaration of separation from God's favor and a consignment to divine wrath. Paul's zeal is not born of personal anger but of a profound love for the truth of God and a pastoral concern for the eternal souls of the Galatians. He understood that distorting the gospel was an assault on God's character and His redemptive plan, a betrayal of the [truth that sets us free](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Will Set You Free").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 1:9, with its severe warning against "another gospel," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation. The "gospel" Paul defends is not merely a set of doctrines, but the good news of what God has accomplished *in Christ* for humanity. Any message that adds human works, rituals, or alternative paths to this divine provision fundamentally diminishes the person and work of Jesus. It implies that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was somehow incomplete or insufficient, thereby negating the very heart of the Christian faith. The true gospel, the one received by the Galatians and defended by Paul, is the declaration that Christ, "who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" ([Galatians 1:4](/galatians/1-4 "Galatians 1:4 - Christ's Sacrifice for Our Sins")), is the exclusive way, truth, and life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Therefore, to preach any other gospel is to preach another Christ, one who is not fully God, not fully man, or whose work is not fully efficacious, thereby leading people away from the only Savior and the [power of God for salvation](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel"). The anathema pronounced in this verse is ultimately a defense of Christ's singular glory and His perfect, finished work on the cross, which alone reconciles sinners to a holy God ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Reconciliation Through His Blood")).

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

Proverbs 30:6

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

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.

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

Deuteronomy 4:2

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Deuteronomy 13:11

And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.