Galatians 1:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
though
G2532
καὶ
though
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
3 of 16
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἄγγελος
an angel
G32
ἄγγελος
an angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
6 of 16
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἐξ
from
G1537
ἐξ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
8 of 16
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
εὐηγγελισάμεθα
any other gospel
G2097
εὐηγγελισάμεθα
any other gospel
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
9 of 16
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
παρ'
than
G3844
παρ'
than
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ὃ
that which
G3739
ὃ
that which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εὐηγγελισάμεθα
any other gospel
G2097
εὐηγγελισάμεθα
any other gospel
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
13 of 16
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
Cross References
Galatians 1:9As 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.1 Corinthians 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.Romans 9:3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Acts 23:14And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.2 Peter 2:14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Historical Context
Paul's hypothetical isn't mere rhetoric. In Greco-Roman religious culture, angelic or divine messengers (through dreams, visions, oracles) carried ultimate authority. Jewish angelology was highly developed, with angels seen as mediators between God and man. Mystery religions featured initiatory revelations from divine beings. Paul subordinates all authority—apostolic, angelic, experiential—to gospel content once delivered. This principle would prove crucial for canonical formation: apostolic authorship mattered less than conformity to apostolic gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- What authorities (tradition, experience, scholarship, culture) might you implicitly trust above Scripture's gospel?
- Why is Paul's severity about gospel corruption actually loving rather than harsh toward those being deceived?
- What makes false teaching so dangerous that even an angel preaching it deserves divine curse?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul pronounces uncompromising judgment. Even if he himself (hēmeis, emphatic "we") or "an angel from heaven" preached a different gospel, that messenger should be "accursed" (anathema, ἀνάθεμα)—devoted to destruction, under God's curse, eternally condemned.
The hypothetical "angel from heaven" may allude to Judaizers claiming revelatory authority or to the law's angelic mediation (3:19). Paul establishes gospel priority: the message's content determines the messenger's authority, not vice versa. Even apostolic or angelic credentials become irrelevant if the gospel is corrupted.
Anathema is strongest Greek curse term, equivalent to Hebrew herem (חֵרֶם)—devoted to destruction. Paul invokes covenantal curse (Deuteronomy 28) on gospel perverters. This severity reflects eternal stakes: false gospels damn souls. The conditional "if" uses future less vivid construction, suggesting improbability but seriousness—even the hypothetically impossible warrants this judgment.