Just as we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone has preached a gospel to you, other than that which you have received, let him be anathema. (Gal 1:9)
ὡς προειρήκαμεν καὶ ἄρτι πάλιν λέγω· εἴ τις ὑμᾶς εὐαγγελίζεται παρʼ ὃ παρελάβετε, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Sicut praediximus, et nunc iterum dico: Si quis vobis evangelizaverit praeter id, quod accepistis, anathema sit!
The meaning of the chosen word can be twofold. On the one hand, it is understood as a consecrated thing, a votum hung to remind us of the sacrifice made to the deity, and on the other, it means a curse, an anathema, a cursed person. St. Paul probably uses it in the second meaning, wanting to radically distance himself from false preachers of the “other gospel”. It is clear how much he cares about preserving and passing on what he himself received as a gift of revelation from Christ.
Sometimes we need such a strong word so as not to lose the glow of the Good News in our hearts, which is ultimately Jesus Christ Himself.
