Note 9 at Gal. 1:8: Paul's curse in verses 8-9 comprised the strongest statements he made in scripture against those who opposed his gospel. Some points of doctrine were negotiable, i.e. non-essential for salvation (see note 1 at 1 Cor. 1:10, p. 860), but the grace of God could not be compromised. Paul said that even if an angel appeared preaching any other gospel than what Paul preached, he should be accursed (see note 10 at this verse). This left no room for any man to preach something different.

Note 10 at Gal. 1:8: Paul is now stressing the importance of preaching the true message of the gospel of Christ. If anyone tampers with the true message of the gospel of grace, Paul states, "Let him be accursed." The Greek word is ANATHEMA and means, "a person or thing doomed to destruction" (Thayer). The Today's English Version translates this, "May he be condemned to hell!" This statement will certainly be true of those who have turned away from the good news of Jesus unto another way of salvation.

The counterparts for this word in the Hebrew meant "to be appointed to utter destruction and to be completely destroyed." These words were used in Numbers 21:3 to describe the Children of Israel utterly destroying the Canaanites, and also in Joshua 6:16-17 concerning the city of Jericho and it's inhabitants being an accursed thing unto the Lord and appointed to utter destruction.