Who does Paul say should be accursed for preaching another gospel?
Paul declares that anyone—even an angel from heaven, or he and his companions—who preaches any other gospel than the one already preached should be accursed. In verse 9, he repeats that if any man preaches another gospel than what was received, let him be accursed.
Les explains that the “another gospel” is not a totally different gospel but a perversion, something that twists the pure gospel out of shape. Paul warns the Galatians that they are being moved from the pure gospel he proclaimed and are listening to people who add to it, take from it, or twist it. Paul then puts strong language on those kind of people: “Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached... let him be accursed.” Les notes Paul is speaking of himself and includes Barnabas and later Silas. In verse 9, Paul repeats that if any man preaches any other gospel than what they received from the apostle, let him be accursed. Les adds that to be accursed is strong language, beyond human comprehension—it means to be separated from God forever.
As 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.
More Questions
What did Paul say will happen to anyone who preaches another gospel?
Paul says that if anyone preaches a different gospel from the one the Galatians received, that person is to be accursed.
Why did Paul use such strong language in Galatians 1 about another gospel?
Paul wrote such strong language in Galatians 1 — that anyone preaching another gospel should be accursed — precisely because of the seriousness of departing from his gospel.
Why did Paul say let him be accursed — was he just being harsh or jealous of other ministers?
Paul did not pronounce the curse out of meanness or envy of another minister; he was writing by inspiration of the Spirit, and the Spirit's emphasis is that if we adulterate and pervert the true gospel we are in danger of being accursed.
What does it mean to preach another gospel than the one you received?
The "other gospel" Paul warns about is any gospel other than the one the Galatians received from the lips of this apostle, and anyone preaching it is to be accursed.