LET HIM BE ACCURSED (Galatians 1:6-8)

LET HIM BE ACCURSED (Galatians 1:6-8)

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ^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 (Galatians 1:6-8)

Turning away (deserting) - The Greek word was used of military desertion, which was punishable by death. The form of this Greek verb indicates that the Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue the legalism taught by the false teachers (Galatians 5:4).

So soon - This Greek word can mean either “easily” or “quickly” and sometimes both. No doubt both senses characterized the Galatians’ response to the false teachers’ heretical doctrines.

Called you - This could be translated, “who called you once and for all” ( 2   Thessalonians 2:13, 14; 2 Timothy 1:8, 9; 1 Peter 1:15), and refers to God’s effectual call to salvation ( Romans 1:7).

 Grace of Christ - God’s free and sovereign act of mercy in granting salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ, totally apart from any human work or merit (Romans 3:24).

Different gospel – 2 Corinthians 11:4. The Judaizers’ perversion of the true gospel. They added the requirements, ceremonies, and standards of the Old Covenant as necessary prerequisites to salvation. (Galatians3:3; 4:9; 5:7; Philippians 3:2.)

Trouble (disturb) - The Gr. word means “to shake back and forth,” meaning to agitate or stir up. Here, it refers to the deep emotional disturbance the Galatian believers experienced.

Pervert (distort) -To turn something into its opposite. By adding law to the gospel of Christ, the false teachers were effectively destroying grace, turning the message of God’s undeserved favor toward sinners into a message of earned and merited favor.

The gospel of Christ - The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

We, or an angel from heaven - Paul’s point is hypothetical, calling on the most unlikely examples for false teaching—himself and holy angels. The Galatians should receive no messenger, regardless of how impeccable his credentials, if his doctrine of salvation differs in the slightest degree from God’s truth revealed through Christ and the apostles.

Accursed - The translation of the familiar Greek word anathema, which refers to devoting someone to destruction in eternal hell (Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22). Throughout history God has devoted certain objects, individuals, and groups of people to destruction (Joshua 6:17, 18; 7:1, 25, 26). The New Testament offers many examples of one such group: false teachers (Matthew 24:24; John 8:44; 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 1:16). Here the Judaizers are identified as members of this infamous company.