Galatians 1:8
What does Galatians 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:8 means
Paul raises the stakes: if even “we” (apostles) or an angel from heaven were to preach a gospel different from what the Galatians had already received, that messenger is to be accursed. Authority rests in the unchanging Gospel, not in the status or splendor of the messenger. This safeguards believers against being swayed by charisma, pedigree, or supposed supernatural origin of a teacher. The true Gospel is the standard that judges all voices—even Paul’s own—because it is God’s revelation. Any deviation from that message destroys souls and dishonors Christ; therefore, it is rightly met with the severest warning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to be a preacher to you of good news other than that which we have given you, let there be a curse on him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you--anathema let him be!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if even we or an angel out of heaven announce as glad tidings to you [anything] besides what we have announced as glad tidings to you, let him be accursed.
Context
This verse follows the exposure of the counterfeit message and stands as a legal pronouncement against it. It prepares for repetition in verse 9, emphasizing that the curse is not a rhetorical flourish but a sober verdict. By placing himself and angels under the same standard, Paul shows impartiality and the non-negotiable nature of the Gospel. The repetition that follows will underline the unyielding boundary line that guards the Galatians from seduction by false teaching.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 9:25
And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
- Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
- Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.
- Joshua 9:23
Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
- Titus 3:10
A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
- 2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
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