Gal 1:6-9 | RWP | e4.org | Ye are so quickly removing ( ουτως ταχεως μετατιθεσθε ). The present middle indicative of μετατιθημ , to change places, to transfer. "You are transferring yourselves" and doing it "so quickly" either from the time of their conversion or most likely from the time when the Judaizers came and tempted them. So easily some of them are falling victims to these perverters of the gospel. That is a continuous amazement ( θαυμαζω ) to Paul and to men today that so many are so silly and so gullible to modern as to ancient charlatans. Unto a different gospel ( εις ετερον ευαγγελιον ). See on for distinction between αλλο and ετερον as here. It is not here or there a mere difference in emphasis or spirit as in so long as Christ is preached. These men as in preach "another Jesus" and a "different gospel" and so have fallen away from grace and have done away with Christ ( ). Hence the vehemence of Paul's words.

‏ Galatians 1:6-9

Ye are so quickly removing ( ουτως ταχεως μετατιθεσθε ). The present middle indicative of μετατιθημ, to change places, to transfer. "You are transferring yourselves" and doing it "so quickly" either from the time of their conversion or most likely from the time when the Judaizers came and tempted them. So easily some of them are falling victims to these perverters of the gospel. That is a continuous amazement ( θαυμαζω ) to Paul and to men today that so many are so silly and so gullible to modern as to ancient charlatans.

Unto a different gospel ( εις ετερον ευαγγελιον ). See on 2Co 11:4 for distinction between αλλο and ετερον as here. It is not here or there a mere difference in emphasis or spirit as in Php 1:18 so long as Christ is preached. These men as in 2Co 11:4 preach "another Jesus" and a "different gospel" and so have fallen away from grace and have done away with Christ (Ga 5:4). Hence the vehemence of Paul's words.

Which is not another ( ο ουκ εστιν αλλο ). It is no "gospel" (good news) at all, but a yoke of bondage to the law and the abolition of grace. There is but one gospel and that is of grace, not works. The relative ο (which) refers to ετερον ευαγγελιον (a different gospel) "taken as a single term and designating the erroneous teachings of the Judaizers" (Burton).

Only ( ε μη ). Literally, "except," that is, "Except in this sense," "in that it is an attempt to pervert the one true gospel" (Lightfoot).

Who disturb you ( ο ταρασσοντες ). The disturbers. This very verb ταρασσω is used in Ac 17:8 of the Jews in Thessalonica who "disturbed" the politarchs and the people about Paul.

Would pervert ( θελοντες μεταστρεψα ). "Wish to turn about," change completely as in Ac 2:20; Jas 4:9. The very existence of the gospel of Christ was at stake.

If we ( εαν ημεις ). Condition of third class ( εαν and aorist middle subjunctive ευαγγελισητα ). Suppose I (literary plural) should turn renegade and preach "other than" ( παρ' ο ), "contrary to that which we preached." Preachers have turned away from Christ, alas, and preached "humanism" or some other new-fangled notion. The Jews termed Paul a renegade for leaving Judaism for Christianity. But it was before Paul had seen Christ that he clung to the law. Paul is dogmatic and positive here, for he knows that he is standing upon solid ground, the fact of Christ dying for us and rising again. He had seen the Risen Jesus Christ. No angel can change Paul now.

Let him be anathema ( αναθεμα εστω ). See on 1Co 12:3 for this word.

So say I now again ( κα αρτ παλιν λεγω ). Paul knows that he has just made what some will consider an extreme statement. But it is a deliberate one and not mere excitement. He will stand by it to the end. He calls down a curse on any one who proclaims a gospel to them contrary to that which they had received from him.