language—‘let him be accursed’—to emphasize the dangers of the counterfeit gospel. The word translated ‘accursed’ is ‘anathematized’ (anathema). This term is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament for the word ‘ban.’ Items that were devoted to the ban were to be destroyed (Josh. 7:1). In Acts 23:12, the term refers to the oath of self-destruction taken by the enemies of Paul who vowed that they would not eat or drink until they had killed him. In 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul uses this term
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