Why does Paul say anyone who preaches another gospel is accursed?

Paul states that even if he or an angel from heaven preached a gospel “contrary” to what they received, that preacher is to be “accursed.” He repeats the warning for emphasis (Galatians 1:8–9).

Passage context

In Galatians 1:8–10, Paul draws a hard boundary around the message the Galatians first heard. Even if the messenger were Paul himself again, or even a heavenly angel, anyone proclaiming a different message is to be treated as under a curse. He repeats this for emphasis, then explains his motive: he is not trying to win human approval. These verses come immediately after Paul expresses shock that the Galatians are turning to “a different message” (1:6–7) and says that some are disturbing them and trying to reshape what they received. Paul answers that situation by stating, twice, that there is no acceptable “alternative” to what he first announced.

Why it matters

Paul draws a bright line around the gospel the Galatians first heard from him. The key point in the text is that the authority of the messenger cannot cancel the authority of the message already delivered (verse 8).

Read carefully

A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.

Keep reading

Start with Galatians 1:8-9, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.