“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)

In our era of “what’s true for me may not be true for you”, Paul’s words here seem shockingly certain. Which was just the point. Paul KNEW that his gospel was true. There was no uncertainty; no “humble openness” — not in regard to this. When it came to the gospel, there was no room for compromise, or a second opinion. HE KNEW THE GOSPEL (I Cor. 15) and there was nothing but “anathema” for anyone who proclaimed anything else. It was not “I’m pretty sure I am right”, or “I think they might be wrong.” It was “this is true, and if anyone says differently he is accursed.” He was conveying that this issue (the gospel) is of utmost importance, and that there is no room for compromise in regard to it.

Are there things about which we have a measure of uncertainty? Surely. Are there things about which we should be humble, and open? Absolutely. But the gospel of salvation by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus only, is not one of them. There is a time for total implacability; for inflexible certainty — and Paul shows us here that this is one of them! There is no room for compromise or flexibility with the central truths of gospel of Jesus. “Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.”