Topical Bible: The Heathen: Having No Hope

◄ The Heathen: Having No Hope ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "heathen" generally refers to those who are outside the covenant community of Israel and, by extension, those who do not know the God of the Bible. The concept of the heathen having "no hope" is rooted in the understanding that apart from the knowledge and acceptance of the God of Israel, and later, the revelation of Jesus Christ, individuals are without the hope of salvation and eternal life.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses the condition of the heathen in his epistle to the Ephesians. He writes, "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). This passage highlights the spiritual state of those who are outside the covenant relationship with God. They are described as being "without hope" because they are "without God in the world."

Spiritual Alienation

The heathen are depicted as being alienated from the life of God due to ignorance and hardness of heart. Paul elaborates on this condition in his letter to the Romans, where he explains that although God's invisible qualities and divine nature have been clearly seen through creation, people have suppressed this truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20). As a result, they are without excuse and remain in spiritual darkness.

The Role of Christ

The New Testament reveals that hope is found in Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of God's promises and the mediator of a new covenant. In Colossians, Paul writes, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). This hope is not merely a future expectation but a present reality for those who are in Christ.

The Great Commission

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, underscores the responsibility of believers to bring the message of hope to the heathen. Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations," indicating that the gospel is the means by which those without hope can be brought into the light of salvation.

The Urgency of Evangelism

The condition of the heathen as having no hope apart from Christ emphasizes the urgency of evangelism. The Apostle Peter reminds believers of their calling to "declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). The task of the Church is to proclaim the gospel so that those who are without hope may come to know the living God and receive the hope of eternal life.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the heathen as having no hope serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual reality for those outside of Christ. It calls believers to a renewed commitment to share the gospel, that all may come to know the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:12
That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Chapter II."The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ... And ye
were strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

The Epistle to the Laodiceans the Proper Designation is to the ...
... the Gentiles: "Ask of me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine ... of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, [5984] having no hope, and without ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvii the epistle to the.htm

Though in Almost Every Age There have Indeed Been in the Heathen ...
... images" of the vilest creatures; and no philosophers ever ... corruption and debauchery
of the heathen world ... great measure died with them, not having any sufficient ...
/.../vi proposition vi though in.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... no longer to be in the flesh, no, nor upon ... the reader to remember his former miserable
heathen state in ... is not put in opposition to ourselves' having made the ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... toward the building up of the kingdom of God in heathen territory, among ... of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... No saving knowledge of God in the heathen. 1. The whole human race having been undone
in the person of Adam, the excellence and dignity of our origin, as ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm

The Wise Man, Having Found that Wisdom Brought with it but ...
... The philosophy of the best of the heathen brought them ... a man, intelligently; the
spirit, the intelligence, having its place ... I leave it to a fool." "No labor in ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ii the wise man.htm

The Greatest of These is Love.
... Christ; He the Resurrection and the Life, having the words of ... in the apostle's sad
picture of the blind heathen? ... Surely without Christ no man can know this hope ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii the greatest of these.htm

"The Heritage of the Heathen"
... "And that, dear children, is the heritage of the heathen. ... another, but they get no
food, and no water, for ... And having gone through their round of religion, in ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xvii the heritage of.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... She determined not to lose her only hope. ... Now Jesus brought the disciples in contact
with a heathen, whom they regarded as having no reason above any of ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm