How Can Paul Say ‘Don’t Curse’—Yet Do It? | Filip Sylwestrowicz

Exploring the Language of Scripture

In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture, Daniel Mikkelsen is joined by Filip Sylwestrowicz—a pastor and New Testament scholar—for a rich and thought-provoking conversation on blessings and curses in Paul’s letters, their ancient background, and their relevance for the Church today.

Drawing on passages like Galatians 1, 1 Corinthians 5 and 16, Romans 9 and 12, Filip explores the meaning of anathema, the language of 'handing over to Satan', and the paradox of Paul encouraging believers to bless their persecutors yet pronouncing curses himself. He also examines how the language of curse functioned and was used in the ancient world including the usage of curse tablets, tomb inscriptions, and Qumran rites to highlight how Paul’s use of curses is distinctive—not as acts of vengeance, but as tools to guard the integrity of the gospel and the life of the community.

Whether you’ve wondered why Paul says “Bless, not curse” yet still uses curses, or you’re curious about the pastoral purpose of such pronouncements, this episode offers a fascinating and theologically rich exploration of an often-overlooked theme in the New Testament.

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Don’t Miss the Next Episode:
This episode features a conversation with Paul Foster on the theology and message of the letter to the Colossians.

Chapters:
00:00 – Season 2 Kick-off & Today’s Theme: Blessings and Curses in Paul
01:38 – Guest: Filip Sylwestrowicz — Pastor & NT Scholar
03:39 – How Filip Got Into Greek & Hebrew (and Why It Matters)
07:33 – How Original Languages Change the Way You Read Scripture
11:20 – Greek Nuance: 1 Cor 5; Beersheba; διώκω (diōkō) in Rom 12
19:09 – Why Study Blessings & Curses in Paul?
29:45 – Curses in Antiquity: Tablets, Tombs, and Ritual Authority
35:54 – Curses in Paul’s World: Curse Tablets, Anatolian Tomb Curses, Qumran Rites
46:37 – Galatians 3 & Romans 9: Making Sense of “Curse” and “Anathema”
54:42 – “Anathema” & “Handed to Satan”: What Paul Actually Means
01:02:31 – Pastoral Discipline: Using Curses to Guard Doctrine & Community
01:07:15 – Bless Enemies, Guard the Church: When Paul Won’t—and Will—Curse
01:14:20 – What Follows from Here?

Music Credits:

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.

פרקים

1. Season 2 Kick-off & Today’s Theme: Blessings and Curses in Paul (00:00:00)

2. Guest: Filip Sylwestrowicz — Pastor & NT Scholar (00:01:38)

3. How Filip Got Into Greek & Hebrew (and Why It Matters) (00:03:39)

4. How Original Languages Change the Way You Read Scripture (00:07:33)

5. Greek Nuance: 1 Cor 5; Beersheba; διώκω (diōkō) in Rom 12 (00:11:20)

6. Why Study Blessings & Curses in Paul? (00:19:09)

7. Curses in Antiquity: Tablets, Tombs, and Ritual Authority (00:29:45)

8. Curses in Paul’s World: Curse Tablets, Anatolian Tomb Curses, Qumran Rites (00:35:54)

9. Galatians 3 & Romans 9: Making Sense of “Curse” and “Anathema” (00:46:37)

10. “Anathema” & “Handed to Satan”: What Paul Actually Means (00:54:42)

11. Pastoral Discipline: Using Curses to Guard Doctrine & Community (01:02:31)

12. Bless Enemies, Guard the Church: When Paul Won’t—and Will—Curse (01:07:15)

13. What Follows from Here? (01:14:20)