Theology in Unusual Terms
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Last week, we devoted attention to the second member of the phrase “Anathema Maranatha” in 1 Cor. 16:22. This week we look more closely at the first member of the phrase, anathema. This term occurs in several places in the New Testament and is commonly given the translation “accursed.”
Often the explanation of this term in its usage in the New Testament is “devoted to destruction” as the object of a curse.
The gospel message appropriately and accurately makes much of God’s love demonstrated in sending His Son to be the Savior of the world.
While we mortals cannot overstate such love, we must not let a high view of God’s love overshadow the Bible’s warnings about the wrath of God.
Love for Christ is essential
In its occurrence in 1 Cor. 16:22, anathema makes failure to love Jesus a sinister and serious omission, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (anathema).” To spurn perfect love is hard heartedness of the highest order.
Similar seriousness is associated with anyone who proclaims a perverted or distorted gospel according to the warning in Galatians 1:8–9: “… If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema). … If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (anathema).”
Distorting or denying the gospel of perfect grace earns the undiluted, pure wrath of God.
From these two cited references we learn immediately that God places supreme value on a person loving His Son and holding to the gospel of saving grace. Failure on either score results in God’s rejection and judgment.
Fearful warning
It is difficult to imagine a more fearful warning about divine judgment than that given in Heb. 10:28–31: “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Such a fate is anathema at its fearful worst.
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