… let them be under God’s curse!
Summary: What do you think of when you hear the word “cursed?” Looking into the Greek roots of this word, we find that what Paul meant might be very different than the picture we have in mind.
The word “curse” in this passage is translated from the Greek word “anáthema.” While not common, the word “anáthema” is still used today. There are half a dozen translations that use Greek word in the English rendering.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anáthema.” (Galatians 1:8, American Standard Version)
Connotations are as important as definitions in some cases, and this might be one of them.
What do you think of when you read this passage? Do you imagine God shaking his fist at the people who pervert Paul’s gospel while muttering, “Curse you!!” A “curse” means different things depending on your cultural background. Here in America, the idea of a curse is either passively muttering against someone or a primitive incantation meant to bring harm. “Anáthema” means neither of these things.
God doesn’t curse people in any human sense of the word. Scripture says God is love (1 John 4;8).
How does this work? How can God love and curse at the same time?
It is important to keep the larger picture in mind while we read the Bible. The vastness of God’s perspective on human life is hard to grasp. God is the creator of all things (Genesis 1:1). Without God, nothing would exist. God gave us life (Genesis 1: 26-27). Without God, we would never have lived to question him. And God provides for us (Matthew 5:45), both good and bad, righteous and unrighteous.
The gifts of existence, life, and the provisions we need every day are all gifts of love. On top of these gifts, God taught us about right and wrong (the Law) and then sent his Son, Jesus, to demonstrate his love by allowing himself to be sacrificed on the cross for our sins.
Sadly, not everyone accepts God’s gift of forgiveness. Some refuse to acknowledge God or repent of their sins (rebellion against God’s Law and rejection of God’s authority). In this current situation, Paul is addressing people who place themselves above God’s authority and have contradicted God, leading people to believe in lies that lead to death.
In the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), five virgins fail to prepare for the bridegroom. When the bridegroom arrives, they are not ready, so the door shuts, and they are left outside. Nobody stands at the door cursing them or shaming them. They are locked out and unable to join the party. This is what Paul means by “anáthema.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon expands on this saying such a man is “accursed, devoted to the direst woes” and “doomed and so separated from Christ.”*
When we reject God’s love, we receive his judgment (2 Peter 2:9). When a person falls under judgment, we humans see it and call those being judged “cursed.” From a human perspective, Paul is correct. From God’s perspective he is giving them what they asked for.
Application: Be prepared!
Food for Thought: Why do people risk being “cursed” by God?
*”G331 – anathema – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 Dec, 2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g331/niv/mgnt/0-1/.
That is quite a question.
I think when one walks with the Spirit one comes to a place that they stop living their life based on what they think they can get away with, and start living a life that is obedient to God. That everything about this world in no way compensates for the separation between themselves and their Heavenly Father. Jesus came to put an end to that curse, that separation. I think people risk “the curse” because they don’t understand or because they don’t want to understand. The absence of “lightning bolts” fool them into thinking they have time to “turn it around”, or that God isn’t concerned with what they are doing. They don’t understand that God’s grace is to give us a chance to come to Him for redemption, not to wait until we have had our fill of the world and then come to Him when we are think we are approaching a deadline.
2 Corinthians 6:2
For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Matthew 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Beautifully written, Chris!
Thank you! At this time of year, it seems especially appropriate to consider our ways and think about the consequences of choosing to oppose the Creator of All Things.
The beauty is that when we turn to him, we discover a fountain of love and the secret to eternal life.
I think the simple answer is either they lack faith and this don’t believe what God’s word says, or they love being their own Lord so much that they refuse to submit to the Lordship of Christ. Either way, it is a heart problem (Jeremiah 17: 9; Roans 3: 10 – 18).
The link below from got questions has some information I found interesting on the purpose of blessing and cursing if anyone is interested:
https://www.gotquestions.org/blessing-and-cursing.html
Thanks Rich!
Your description of a “heart problem” is well said. Stubbornness, rebellion, and being “stiff necked,” are all attributes of this core issue.
Thank you!
12-18-2023, Why do people risk being “cursed” by God?
The Holy Spirit is convicting, powerfully revealing, to all mankind, sin, righteousness and Judgement to come. No-one can say they have not known Gods will, or the consequences of choosing to intentionally live, in disobedience. John 16:8
Today, Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. Stating his new declaration recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence and help in their committed relationships,” In a follow-up email he stated. “Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages.” The Pope declared his friends to be people in same-sex marriage.
2 Timothy 3:1-7, Matthew 25:41, Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22
Those who choose to intentionally act against the conviction and the truths recorded in our bibles are choosing to act according to the desires of their flesh as they respond to the desires of mankind, over God’s will.
Romans 1:18-32, 8:7
Ron,
You raise a very interesting point. Is the church supposed to be a beacon of light that draws people out of the darkness, or is it the purpose of the church to comfort people in darkness by telling them darkness is okay?
The verses you provide give us the biblical context for your comments (I put a link here).
To return to the parable of the Ten Virgins for a moment, the situation you use for an example makes it sound like the church is telling the five virgins without oil, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” And it is, of course, until they find themselves locked out. Then it isn’t.
I’ve heard it argued that people with values that differ from those in the Bible are still people. God still loves them. I believe this to be true. God loved the five virgins who didn’t bring enough oil as well. The question isn’t whether God loves us, but whether or not we love God.
If we love God (agapé) above all else, then we want to do things God’s way, regardless of cost. Maybe we are angry at someone, so angry we want to do them physical harm. God wants us to forgive and, if they have hurt us, turn the other cheek. What do we do? Do we do what we want or what God wants? The same holds true for stealing other people’s property, envying someone what they have, or moving property markers. God is clear about what is right and wrong in his book. (He has to explain the difference because even though we can “see” good and evil, we cannot tell the difference without God.)
This is especially true when it comes to sexual matters. God is abundantly clear about sex and what he considers right and wrong.
As Christians, we are tasked with sharing God’s Light and Love with the world. Sadly, when the church is not garnering a reputation for delighting in darkness, it often seems to delight in passing judgment. While there are many kinds of judgments we might rightfully engage in, eternal judgment is the purview of God alone.
Fortunately, the solution is not in worldly church organizations, but in the living Body of Christ. Here, in direct connection with our Lord, we learn and grow, work and play. The Lord Himself teaches, guides, heals, and instructs. He is the one who guards the gate. Actually, he is the gate! (John 10:9)
Very well said Jeff!
Thank You Brother,
Ron
Why do people risk being “cursed” by God?
Like all the other comments I agree and would like to add that the deceiver has his part in it too. They have been told lies and promises of the next new toy of this world not knowing they are giving up the next.
Well said, Tim.
Very true. Without the deceiver promoting lies, the world would be a different place.