Greeks

The Greeks, known for their rich culture and philosophy, play a significant role in the context of the New Testament. The Greek language was the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean during the time of Jesus and the early church, which facilitated the spread of the Gospel. The New Testament itself was written in Koine Greek, making it accessible to a broad audience across the Roman Empire.

In the Bible, Greeks are often mentioned in the context of their influence on the Jewish world and the early Christian church. The Hellenistic period, following the conquests of Alexander the Great, saw Greek culture and language permeate the regions of the Near East, including Judea. This cultural influence is evident in the New Testament, where Greek thought and language intersect with Jewish traditions.

The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the spread of Christianity, engaged with Greek culture and philosophy during his missionary journeys. In Acts 17:22-23 , Paul addresses the Athenians at the Areopagus, acknowledging their religious nature and using their altar to an "unknown god" as a starting point to proclaim the Gospel: "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you."

The Greeks are also mentioned in the context of the early church's expansion. In John 12:20-21 , some Greeks who had come to worship at the feast approached Philip with a request to see Jesus, indicating the growing interest in Jesus' teachings beyond the Jewish community: "Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, 'Sir, we want to see Jesus.'"

Romans

The Romans, as the ruling power during the time of the New Testament, are central to the historical and political backdrop of the biblical narrative. The Roman Empire's governance, infrastructure, and legal system significantly influenced the spread of Christianity.

The Roman occupation of Judea is a critical element in the Gospels, providing the context for Jesus' life and ministry. The Roman authorities, represented by figures such as Pontius Pilate, played a pivotal role in the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. In John 19:10-11 , Pilate questions Jesus about His authority, to which Jesus responds, "You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin."

The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen, utilized his citizenship to further his missionary work and to appeal for justice. In Acts 22:25-28 , Paul asserts his rights as a Roman citizen to avoid unlawful punishment: "But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?' On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. 'What are you going to do?' he said. 'This man is a Roman citizen.' The commander went to Paul and asked, 'Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?' 'Yes,' he answered. 'I paid a high price for my citizenship,' said the commander. 'But I was born a citizen,' Paul replied."

The Roman Empire's extensive road networks and relative peace, known as the Pax Romana, facilitated the rapid spread of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world. The Epistle to the Romans, one of Paul's most significant letters, addresses the believers in Rome, emphasizing the universality of the Gospel and the righteousness that comes from faith. 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."

The interaction between the early Christians and the Roman authorities is a recurring theme in the New Testament, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the nascent church in a predominantly pagan society.