Anathema

A Greek word that orginally meant something "set up" for a god. In the Septuagint it was used to translate the Hebrew word cherem, which refers to the irrevocable consecration to God of an object or person by its destruction. In the NT, however, it is used simply to mean exclusion, though often translated by the stronger verb 'accused.'

Romans 9:3 (NIV): For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race . . .

1 Cor 16:22 (NIV): If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him.

Gal 1:8-9 (NIV): But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

In the early church anathema was, in practice, synonymous with excommunication. In the later history of the Western church, a distinction was made between anathema (complete exclusion from all aspects of church life) and excommunication (exclusion from the worship and sacraments of the church).