Galatians 1:9

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.

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}.

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!

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!

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

In Galatians 1:9, the Apostle Paul issues a stern and repeated warning against any deviation from the true gospel message. This verse underscores the absolute purity and singular nature of the good news of Jesus Christ, pronouncing a severe judgment on anyone who preaches a different message.

Context

Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia addresses a serious theological crisis. False teachers, often called Judaizers, were undermining the pure gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They insisted that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law in addition to believing in Christ to be truly saved. This verse, following Paul's initial strong rebuke in Galatians 1:8, reiterates with even greater force the severe consequences for anyone preaching a distorted message. Paul had already delivered this message verbally ("As we said before") and now commits it to writing, emphasizing its unchangeable truth.

Key Themes

  • The Uncompromising Purity of the Gospel: Paul emphasizes that there is only one true gospel, the good news of salvation through faith in Christ's finished work. Any addition or subtraction fundamentally corrupts it. This highlights the exclusivity of salvation through grace, not works.
  • Divine Judgment on False Teaching: The pronouncement "let him be accursed" underscores the gravity of distorting God's truth. It reveals God's intense displeasure with those who lead people away from the genuine path to salvation, highlighting the eternal consequences of such actions.
  • Paul's Apostolic Authority and Zeal: Paul's repetition ("As we said before, so say I now again") reinforces his unwavering conviction and divine authority to defend the gospel's integrity, even against angels or himself. His zeal for the power of the gospel is evident.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "accursed" is anathema. It signifies something devoted to destruction, separated from God, or under a divine curse. It's not merely a strong disapproval but a declaration of severe spiritual condemnation, implying separation from God's favor and eternal judgment. This word underscores the extreme seriousness with which God views any perversion of His truth.

The phrase "any other gospel" uses the Greek word heteros, meaning "another of a different kind." This implies that the false gospel was not just a variation but a fundamentally different and therefore illegitimate message, in contrast to allos, which would mean "another of the same kind." This linguistic nuance highlights the complete incompatibility of the false teaching with the true gospel.

Practical Application

Galatians 1:9 serves as a timeless warning for believers across generations. It calls for:

  • Vigilance and Discernment: We must be vigilant against teachings that deviate from the core message of the gospel – salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Believers are encouraged to test all doctrines against the inspired Word of God.
  • Holding Firm to Truth: It encourages us to stand firm on the foundational truth of salvation, without the addition of human works, rituals, or philosophies. The essence of the gospel is Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
  • Protecting the Message: This verse underscores the responsibility of believers and church leaders to protect the purity of the gospel message, ensuring it is accurately proclaimed for future generations and not diluted or distorted by human traditions or worldly philosophies.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.