Accursed (ἀνάθεμα) describes an item (or person) that has been dedicated to a deity, and thus is destined for destruction. The term “anathema” is a transliteration of accursed (ἀνάθεμα) and therefore must be defined by the original meaning of the Greek word, not by the meaning imposed by English.
In Acts 23:12–13, over forty Jews banded together under a curse to kill Paul for preaching the resurrection of the Messiah. In verse fourteen, these men go to the high priests and elders of Israel seeking their assistance. They declared their dedication to kill Paul, having separated themselves from eating until their task was completed (Acts 23:14). This plan becomes known to Paul through his nephew, who informs the commander of the garrison holding Paul (Acts 23:21).
They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a curse that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”(Acts 23:14–15).
Peter expresses a curse in swearing that he does not know Christ (Mark 14:71). On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, Peter was more than willing to die to defend Him. However, Jesus informed him he would deny Him before the next time the rooster crowed. This denial was not because of Peter being a coward; rather, Satan sifted him, causing him to react in a cowardly manner where he would normally stand firm (Luke 22:31). As Christ stood before the high priests and counsel of Israel, Jesus’ words were fulfilled as Peter so vehemently denied knowing Christ that he even pronounced a curse upon himself if he knew him. His denial of Christ caused him to weep bitterly, for he failed in the one area he never imagined possible. After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter and placed him as a pastor among the Jerusalem saints (John 21:15–17).
Then he began to curse (declare a curse) and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” Mark 14:71.
In Romans chapter nine, Paul expresses his strong desire to even be set aside for destruction from the Christ if it meant Israel would accept her Messiah (Romans 9:3). Paul is not referring to the loss of salvation, but the setting of himself aside as one who is dedicated apart from the benefits he has as a member of the body of the Christ. He understood the Church was not built upon himself; therefore, he expressed his willingness to step aside from direct fellowship with the assemblies if it resulted in the Jews’ acceptance of the resurrected Christ.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh (Romans 9:3).
The Church is not to be ignorant concerning Spiritual gifts. When we were Gentiles, we were carried away by dumb idols wherever they led. Now we are not to be ignorant. For this reason, Paul makes known to us that no one who speaks by the Spirit of God says, “Christ anathema.” Jesus was set apart to God for the purpose of destruction (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3)
Paul encourages the saints in Corinth to submit to those who work and labor in the Lord with him. If anyone is not fond of the Lord, let that one be set aside (1 Corinthians 16:22).
If anyone is not fond of the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! (1 Corinthians 16:22).
If someone brings a gospel alongside the gospel we received, that person is to be set aside (Galatians 1:8–9). This teaching involves corrupting the gospel of the Christ; the new creation in which Christ is the head and the Church is the body (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:22–23). These false teachers bring in another gospel, often involving principles of law (Galatians 1:6). They also proclaim they are a new creature, follow the doctrine of the Nicolaitans; separate the clergy from the congregation, use the doctrine of Balaam to merchandise the saints, and may even bring in elements of paganism to manipulate those who follow them. These men are to be separated in such a manner as something that is set aside only for the use of a specific task, and is therefore unworthy to be used for anything else. Separate from them, and set them aside for the destruction their false teaching produces.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8–9).
