Galatians 1:7
What does Galatians 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:7 means
Paul insists there is, in truth, no “another gospel.” There is only one good news—the message about Christ crucified and risen, bringing salvation by grace through faith. The agitators are not offering a viable alternative; they are “troubling” the believers and “perverting the gospel of Christ,” twisting it into something it was never meant to be. To add legal requirements as conditions for acceptance with God turns good news into bad news. Paul’s words unmask such teaching as distortion, not development. What sounds like a stricter, more devout path is actually a corruption that unsettles consciences and shifts trust from Christ to human performance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Which is not another sort: only there are some who give you trouble, desiring to make changes in the good news of Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which is not another: only there are some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890which is not another [one]; but there are some that trouble you, and desire to pervert the glad tidings of the Christ.
Context
Having identified the Galatians’ quick desertion, Paul now labels the counterfeit: it is not a real gospel, merely a perversion. This sets up the stark anathema of verses 8–9, where the identity of the messenger is irrelevant if the message departs from what was first preached. The contrast between the singular, authentic Gospel and any warped imitation will drive the rest of the chapter and Paul’s autobiographical defense that his message came directly from Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 13:14
And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
- Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
- Revelation 20:3
and cast him into the abyss, and shutit, and sealeditover him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
- Acts 13:10
and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
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