Galatians 1:8-9

The Gospel message is that God has total control and God triumphantly reigns. We have been freed from ‘the present evil age’ (Gal. 1:4) by Jesus’ death on the Cross. At His death Jesus Christ rescued us. And Christ’s Resurrection allows us to be transformed by the New Birth in Him– through water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). Christ’s is alive within His believers and in God’s Kingdom here and in heaven.

So when the missionaries come to Galatia Churches and preach a distorted gospel then Paul twice curses them. Soundly curses them! These are the anathema curses and most powerful– they will be delivered over to Divine destruction for what they have done.

We note both curses are open ended. The first (v. 8), says that even in the future, if Paul, any of the Apostles, or even an angel from heaven would preach a distorted gospel then the believers are not to accept that gospel, no, because it would be a false gospel. The second (v. 9) says that anyone who presently preaches and teaches a gospel that is false then believers are to reject that. The same applies today.

Hold fast to Truth in Jesus Christ. Anybody who distorts the Gospel is under a curse. The missionaries teach Galatians that the old Mosaic law be followed and circumcision is required for salvation. Paul and the Apostles already know some of those who pervert the Gospel. In Acts 15, the Apostles had affirmed by a letter to Gentile believers that circumcision and the Mosaic laws are not a part of the Gospel. Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)

Paul’s curses are on the missionaries who have spread a false gospel throughout Galatia. Paul does not name the missionaries, perhaps because the Galatians know exactly who they are and what has been preached falsely. The same applies today.

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! Galatians 1:8-9