Topical Encyclopedia The term "Gentile" is used in the Bible to refer to individuals or nations that are not of Jewish descent. The Hebrew word "goy" (plural "goyim") and the Greek word "ethnos" are commonly translated as "Gentile" in English Bibles. These terms are used to distinguish between the people of Israel and other nations.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the term "Gentile" often carries the connotation of foreign nations that are distinct from the Israelites. The Israelites were chosen by God to be His covenant people, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6 : "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." The Gentiles, therefore, were often seen as outsiders to this covenant relationship. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to remain separate from the Gentile nations to avoid idolatry and moral corruption. For example, in Leviticus 20:26 , God commands, "You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the peoples to be My own." However, the Old Testament also contains prophecies and promises that the Gentiles would one day come to know the God of Israel. Isaiah 49:6 states, "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the term "Gentile" continues to refer to non-Jews, but the relationship between Jews and Gentiles undergoes a significant transformation with the coming of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is presented as a message of salvation for all people, regardless of ethnic background. This is evident in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples in Matthew 28:19 , "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The Apostle Paul, in particular, is known for his mission to the Gentiles. In Romans 1:16 , Paul declares, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." Paul's ministry emphasized that Gentiles could become part of God's people through faith in Christ, without the need to adhere to the Jewish law. This is further elaborated in Galatians 3:28 : "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Theological Significance The inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God is a central theme in the New Testament and reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that "all nations on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 22:18). The early church grappled with the implications of this inclusion, as seen in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, where it was determined that Gentile converts did not need to follow the Mosaic Law to be part of the Christian community. Theologically, the inclusion of Gentiles signifies the breaking down of barriers between different ethnic groups and the creation of a new, unified people of God. Ephesians 2:14-16 speaks to this unity: "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility. By abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees, He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility." Conclusion The term "Gentile" in the Bible highlights the historical distinction between Jews and non-Jews, while also pointing to the inclusive nature of the Gospel message. Through Christ, the barriers between Jew and Gentile are removed, allowing all people to become part of God's covenant community through faith. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) One of a non-Jewish nation; one neither a Jew nor a Christian; a worshiper of false gods; a heathen.2. (a.) Belonging to the nations at large, as distinguished from the Jews; ethnic; of pagan or heathen people. 3. (a.) Denoting a race or country; as, a gentile noun or adjective. Greek 1482. ethnikos -- national, foreign, ie spec. a Gentile ... a Gentile. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ethnikos Phonetic Spelling: (eth-nee-kos') Short Definition: pagan, heathen, gentile; a Gentile, non-Jew ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1482.htm - 7k 1483. ethnikos -- as a Gentile 1672. Hellen -- a Greek, usually a name for a Gentile 5478. Chananaios -- Canaanite, a Gentile of Pal. 1290. diaspora -- a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries) 1674. Hellenis -- a Greek (ie Gentile) woman 1484. ethnos -- a race, a nation, pl. the nations (as distinct ... 203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision 65. agrielaios -- of the wild olive 246. allophulos -- of another race Strong's Hebrew 1471. goy -- nation, people... herds (1), nation (120), nations (425), people (4). Gentile, heathen, nation, people. Rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from ... /hebrew/1471.htm - 6k Library The Charter of Gentile Liberty Jewish Rejecters and Gentile Receivers Jew and Gentile A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert Gentile Cosmogony. The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith. The Phoenician Retirement and the Gentile Cure. Faustus Argues that if the Apostles Born under the Old Covenant ... Psalm 45 the Glory of Christ, the Success of the Gospel, and the ... The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile ... Thesaurus Gentile (24 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Denoting a race or country; as, a gentile noun or adjective. Multi-Version Concordance Gentile (24 Occurrences). ... /g/gentile.htm - 13k Middle (169 Occurrences) Partition (4 Occurrences) Cornelius (10 Occurrences) Wall (227 Occurrences) Trophimus (3 Occurrences) Proselyte (2 Occurrences) Eunice (1 Occurrence) Enmity (23 Occurrences) Johannine Resources What is a Gentile? | GotQuestions.orgWas Abraham a Jew or Gentile? | GotQuestions.org Why did Paul say the gospel brings salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile? | GotQuestions.org Gentile: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Gentile (24 Occurrences)Matthew 18:17 Mark 7:26 Acts 7:45 Acts 10:28 Acts 15:5 Acts 15:23 Romans 1:5 Romans 1:13 Romans 1:16 Romans 2:9 Romans 2:10 Romans 2:24 Romans 2:27 Romans 10:12 Romans 16:4 1 Corinthians 6:1 1 Corinthians 6:6 1 Corinthians 10:27 Galatians 2:14 Galatians 2:15 Galatians 3:28 Colossians 1:27 Ezra 6:21 Nehemiah 5:9 Subtopics Related Terms Instrumentality (5 Occurrences) |
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