GALATIANS 1:6-8 LET HIM BE ACCURSED

GALATIANS 1:6-8 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Marvel; to wonder; by implication, to admire Derivation: from G2295; The Greek word is thaumazō θαυμάζω. Strong's G2296. 

NSB* The use of the word "marvel" reveals Paul's ongoing shock at the Galatian's defection from the gospel of God's undeserved grace. The Galatians had unwittingly fallen for a different message, one which was not another true message of salvation at all. 

Grace Of Christ; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude). Vines notes: The fact that "grace" is received both from God the Father, 2 Corinthians 1:12, and from Christ, Galatians 1:6; Romans 5:15 (where both are mentioned), is a testimony to the deity of Christ. See also 2 Thessalonians 1:12, where the phrase "according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" is to be taken with each of the preceding clauses, "in you," "and ye in Him." The Greek word for grace here is χάρις charis.

Definition Verse References: 

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

Romans 5:15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cross References: Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,

Galatians 5:8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

Moving to Verse 7.

NSB* Those causing trouble were guilty of seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ, not to present a better alternative. 

Trouble; Note: In some mss. tarache, "an agitation, disturbance, trouble," is found in Mark 13:8 (plur.); John 5:4 (RV omits). In this text it is used of of subverting the souls of believers, by evil doctrine. Vine's (def B-1d), Strong's G5015. Strong's notes: to stir or agitate (roil water) Derivation: of uncertain affinity;

Definition Verse References: 

Mark 13:8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

Pervert; "to transform into something of an opposite character" (meta, signifying "a change," and strepho,) as the Judaizers sought to "pervert the gospel of Christ,". The Greek word is metastrepho μεταστρέφω which also has the idea of "corrupt". 

Cross References: 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Galatians 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Moving to Verse 8.

Angel From Heaven; NSB* Paul moves from the hypothetical (vs 6,7) to the actual in denouncing the Galatian's perversion of the gospel. If even the apostles or an angel from heaven were to preach a false gospel they would be accursed. That being the case, anyone who proclaimed a perversion of the message that the Galatians had received from Paul fully deserved eternal destruction. Paul's concern for the purity of the gospel message is revealed by his assertion that he would condemn to destruction anyone who taught a false gospel. 

My notes: This is why not everyone should be out there teaching. In a social media world, everyone seems to want to claim to be a teacher or is teaching without claiming it. It is eternally critical that we not pervert or corrupt the gospel. Just because someone is teaching and maybe even people you trust follow them, does not mean they are teaching correctly and are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and subjecting themselves to the Word Of God. 

Other gospel; The KJV words this as "another". In this text it just means (an-, the) other or different. The Greek word is ἕτερος (allos heteros). Vine's (def prime), Strong's G2087. 

Accursed; of the object on which the "curse" is laid, "accursed;" in the following, the RV keeps to the word "anathema," The Greek word is ἀνάθεμα anathema. Vines (def A-3), Strongs' G331. LSJ Gloss notes: anything devoted to evil, an accursed thing.

Takeaway: I know a lot of Christians are discouraged by those who try to pervert the gospel, but just know that it's nothing new. Right off the bat, the early church was already dealing with this issue. Stick close to God and the Word of God. Delight in the Lord and seek fellowship worthy of our calling. This passage highlights the severity of deceiving God's people.