Anathema

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 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.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

How quickly we can be distracted, redirected away from the truth unto another false teaching, false doctrine, and false God!

This is very powerful stuff by Paul! Even if it was an angel from heaven, if they preach something other than the gospel, they are to be accursed! Paul means business here, so he repeats the warning. Accursed comes from the Greek, “Anathema”. It means devoted to God for destruction. It is the “direst of woes” (Strong’s). That’s the punishment for any deviation from God’s word. Think about the severity and scope of this warning.

In real terms what does this mean? If anyone be it Pastor, Preacher, Rabbi, Monk, Imam, friend, neighbor, angel-It doesn’t matter who! If anyone, “preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, then let them be devoted to God for destruction.

This doesn’t just apply to the who, but the what as well. There is no other gospel, no other God, and no other religion.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Anything other than Christ and Him crucified is anathema. This is serious business.

Bill Hitchcock