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What does "which is not another" mean?


Introduction. Paul rebuked the Christians in the region of Galatia for their departing from Christ (Gal. 1: 6-9). They were removing (present tense) from Christ unto another gospel (vs. 6). In this connection Paul wrote, "which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ" (vs. 7).

There are two basic Greeks words which are translated by our English word "another". Allos (another) is found 160 times in the Greek New Testament and heteros (another) 99 times. "Allos expresses a numerical difference and denotes another of the same sort" (Vine). "Heteros expresses a qualitative difference and denotes another of a different sort" (Ibid.).

Jesus promised his disciples he would send them another (allos) comforter (John 14: 16,17). The Holy Spirit is meant. The Holy Spirit would be a separate comforter, but of the same kind as Jesus. Allos expresses this. Luke tells us that there were "two other malefactors, led with him (Christ, dm) to be put to death" (Luke 23: 32). Here the word translated "other" is heteros. These were criminals of a different sort - they were guilty, while Jesus was innocent.

When Paul wrote "which is not another," he used the Greek allos. Actually, he is saying this doctrinal system being preached to the Galatians was a gospel of a different sort (it was not one of the same sort). Paul said that if he (apostles) "or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preaching unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1: 8). The pure gospel saves, error condemns (1 Cor. 15: 1-3, 1 Pet. 2: 2). Beloved, there are many gospels today which are not another (same sort as Jesus' gospel). These other gospels must be shunned and exposed (2 John 9-11).
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