What Is Anathema? Its Meaning in Church History

　　"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV

　　

Definition of Anathema in the Bible

Merriam-Webster gives the following definitions for the word Anathema:

　　1. Someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used as a predicate nominative; or one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority.

　　2. A ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication; the denunciation of something as accursed.

　　Anathema, as used in the New Testament, comes from the Greek ana’thema, meaning “a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction.” Used only six times in the Bible, the word anathema is commonly translated as “accursed,” “cursed,” or “eternally condemned” in the more modern translations. Young’s Literal Translation, the American Standard Version, and the King James Version transliterate it as “anathema.”

　　

Christian Meaning of Anathema in the Bible

The Greek word "anathema" consists of two words: "ana", which is a preposition indicating movement upwards, and "thema", which means a separate part of something. In military terminology, "thema" meant a detachment; in civil government "thema" meant a province. We currently use the word "theme", derived from "thema", to mean a specific topic of a written or intellectual work.

　　"Anathema" literally means the lifting up of something separate. In the Old Testament, this phrase was used both in relation to that which was estranged due to sinfulness and additionally to that which was devoted to God.

　　In the New Testament, in the writing of the Apostle Paul, it is used once in connection with "Maranatha", meaning the coming of the Lord. The combination of these words means separation until the coming of the Lord; in other words - being handed over to Him (1 Cor 16:22).

　　The Apostle John in Revelation 22:3 says that in the New Jerusalem there will not be any anathema; this can be understood in two ways, giving the word anathema both meanings: 1) there will not be any lifting up to the judgement of God, for this judgement has already been accomplished; 2) there will not be any special dedication to God, for all things will be the Holy things of God, just as the light of God enlightens all (Rev 21:23).

　　

Examples of Anathema in Christianity

Since the time of the apostles, the term 'anathema' has come to mean a form of extreme religious sanction, known as ex-communication. The earliest recorded instance of the form is in the Council of Elvira (c. 306), and thereafter it became the common method of cutting off heretics; for example, the Synod of Gangra (c. 340) pronounced that Manicheanism was anathema.

　　Cyril of Alexandria issued twelve anathemas against Nestorius in 431. In the fifth century, a formal distinction between anathema and "minor" ex-communication evolved, as "minor" ex-communication entailed cutting off a person or group from the rite of Eucharist and attendance at worship, while anathema meant a complete separation of the subject from the Church.

　　The Orthodox Church distinguishes between epitemia (penances) laid on a person, one form of which is "separation from the communion of the Church" (ex-communication), and anathema. While undergoing epitemia, the person remains an Orthodox Christian, even though their participation in the mystical life of the church is restricted; but those given over to anathema are considered completely torn from the Church until they repent.

　　In the formal canons of all the ecumenical councils accepted by the Catholic Church, the word "anathema" implies exclusion from the society of the faithful because of heresy. Records of the 9th and 12th centuries identify anathema from ex-communication, a difference later clarified by using the term "major excommunication" for exclusion from the community of the faithful, and "minor ex-communication" for ordinary ex-communication or exclusion from reception of the sacraments.

　　

Anathema Meaning in Scriptural Context

According to Bible Study Tools, "In the New Testament this word always implies execration. In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled ( Acts 23:12 Acts 23:14Acts 23:21 ). "To call Jesus accursed" [anathema] ( 1 Corinthians 12:3 ) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. If any one preached another gospel, the apostle says, "let him be accursed" ( Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:9 ); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed.

　　In Romans 9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing. It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people.

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　　The anathema in 1 Corinthians 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."

　　

Bible Verses about Anathema and False Teachers

Acts 23:14 YLT

　　who having come near to the chief priests and to the elders said, 'With an anathema we did anathematize ourselves -- to taste nothing till we have killed Paul;

　　Romans 9:3 ASV

　　For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

　　1 Corinthians 12:3 ASV

　　Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.

　　1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV

　　If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

　　Galatians 1:7

　　Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

　　Galatians 1:8 ASV

　　But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.

　　Galatians 1:9 ASV

　　As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.

　　2 Peter 2:1-3

　　But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

　　1 John 4:1

　　Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

　　2 Corinthians 11:4

　　For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

　　2 John 1:10

　　If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

　　Sources

　　The Word Anathema and Its Meaning - Orthodoxinfo.com

　　What is the definition of anathema? - Gotquestions.org

　　Anathema - Wikipedia.org