Let Him be Accursed (Gal 1:6-9)
To curse someone is to condemn someone. It is very rare to find the word “curse” or “accursed” in the Bible. Take note when the word is used. It must be for a very serious transgression against God. Note also that the curse in Galatians 1:8 comes from God, not Paul. And God has the power and authority to bring the curse to effect. The transgression here is the preaching of another gospel, one that does not save. Why does God pronounce this curse on those who preached another gospel?
1) Their confrontation (Gal 1:6) The Galatians had believed another gospel. This another is one of another totally different kind, not another of the same kind. It was not just a rejection of Paul, the instrument to preach God’s Word. It was a rejection of God Himself. Those who preached a different gospel were cunning. They would only make minute changes that might go unnoticed, but the changes could negate the salvation of those who believed this “another” gospel. These false teachers were actually challenging God. They were stopping people from believing in Christ, leading them astray. That is why it is so serious. Let the preacher of such a false gospel be accursed.
2) Their perversion (Gal 1:7) The false preachers would stir the faith and peace of the church. They were determined to pervert the gospel of Christ. They appeared to be close to the true Gospel but they were not. The Roman Catholics put emphasis on works and their system. The Charismatics justify Christian carnality with their health-and-wealth gospel, making merchandise of those who follow them. The Neo-evangelicals lower the authority of the Bible, drawing people to man by attacking the Bible, teaching that the Bible has mistakes but that will not affect people’s salvation. When we are introduced to a different brand of the Gospel, look out for the differences, not look at the similarities. Beware of the perversions and do not treat these people as small-time transgressors.
3) Their use of relation (Gal 1:8-9) Paul again emphasizes here that it did not matter who this person was. So long as he attacked the gospel, the true preachers or the lay people in Church, let him be accursed. It would be challenging if this person was someone close to us, a family member or a loved one. We have to withdraw ourselves from him and his evil work. People’s salvation is at stake. |