Bible Strands
Galatians 1:8
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian churches during a crisis where false teachers are actively distorting the message of Christ. He issues this warning at a moment when the recipients are being pressured to abandon the gospel he originally delivered to them.
The words — The Greek phrase ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ (angelos ex ouranou) literally means "an angel out of heaven." The text places this alongside ἡμεῖς (hēmeis, "we ourselves") to establish that neither human nor supernatural authority can override the apostolic gospel.
The thread — The curse formula appears again in Galatians 1:9 as a deliberate repetition of the same warning. It aligns with the divine judgment against altering revealed truth in Revelation 22:18 and parallels Paul’s later identification of deceptive figures masquerading as legitimate messengers in 2 Corinthians 11:13.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate rejection of any message that contradicts the received gospel, regardless of the preacher’s claimed origin. It requires readers to evaluate all teaching against the original apostolic standard rather than deferring to perceived spiritual credentials.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- Revelation 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
- Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
- Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
- Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
- 1 Timothy 1:19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.