Reference: Gentiles
American
A name given by the Hebrews to all those that had not received the Law of Moses. Foreigners who embraced Judaism, they called proselytes. Since the promulgation of the gospel, the true religion has been extended to all nations; God, who had promised by his prophets to call the Gentiles to the faith, with a superabundance of grace, having fulfilled his promise; so that the Christian church is composed principally of Gentile converts, the Jews being too proud of their privileges to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Redeemer. In the writings of Paul, the Gentiles are generally called Greeks, Ro 1:14,16; 1Co 1:22,24; Ga 3:28. So also in those of Luke, in the Ac 6:1; 11:20; 18:4. Paul is commonly called the apostle of the Gentiles, Ga 2:8; 1Ti 2:7, because he preached Christ principally to them; whereas Peter, etc., preached generally to the Jews, and are called apostles of the circumcision, Ga 2:8.
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And in those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily service.
And certain of them were Cyprian and Cyrenian men, who having come to Antioch, spake to the Greeks announcing good news, the Lord Jesus.
And he discussed in the synagogue on every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Both to Greeks, and foreigners; both to wise and unwise, I am debtor.
For I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to all believing; both to the Jew first, and the Greek.
(For be having been energetic in Peter for the mission of circumcision, was energetic also in me for the nations:)
(For be having been energetic in Peter for the mission of circumcision, was energetic also in me for the nations:)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither servant nor free, there is neither male and female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
In the body of his flesh by death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable before him:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill again the necessities of the pressures of Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the church.
Concerning all things hold thyself a type of good works: in doctrine, integrity, gravity, incorruptibility,
Easton
(Heb, usually in plural, goyim), meaning in general all nations except the Jews. In course of time, as the Jews began more and more to pride themselves on their peculiar privileges, it acquired unpleasant associations, and was used as a term of contempt.
In the New Testament the Greek word Hellenes, meaning literally Greek (as in Ac 16:1,3; 18:17; Ro 1:14), generally denotes any non-Jewish nation.
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And he arrived at Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, by name Timothy, son of a certain woman, a faithful Jewess; and of a Greek father:
Him Paul wished to go forth with him; and having taken, he circumcised him, on account of the Jews being in those places: for all knew his father that he was a Greek.
And all the Greeks having taken Sosthenes, ruler of the synagogue, beat before the judgment seat. And,Gallio cared for none of these.
Both to Greeks, and foreigners; both to wise and unwise, I am debtor.
Fausets
Hebrew Gowy, "the nations" (or "pagan," derived from the Greek ethnee), as opposed to Israel (Ne 5:8). In Ge 10:5, "isles of the Gentiles," the term is used geographically in no invidious sense. In Ge 14:1, Tidal "king of nations" was probably chief of several nomadic wandering tribes of western Asia. In Jos 12:23 we read, "the king of the nations (the gentile foreigners) of Gilgal," the modern Moslem village Jiljule, six Roman miles N. of Antipatris. Goim is especially used of Galilee, bordering on and, even in Israelite times, much peopled with the Gilgal (Jg 4:2; Isa 9:1.) (See GALILEE.) "Greeks" in New Testament is used for Gentiles (Ac 14:1; 17:4; Ro 1:16; 10:12; 2:9-10; 1Co 10:32 margin).
With all the superiority of the gentile great world kingdoms, in military prowess, commerce, luxury, and the fine arts, Israel stood on an immense moral elevation above them, in the one point, nearness to God, and possession of His revealed will and word (Ex 19:5-6; Ps 147:19-20; 148:14; Ro 3:1-2). But this superiority was in order that Israel, as priests unto God, might be mediator of blessings unto all nations (Isa 61:6). The covenant from the first with Abraham contemplated that "in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed" (Ge 22:18). The Jews in national pride failed to see this, and despised the Gentiles Rejecting Messiah, they were "broken oft" from the olive, that the Gentiles might be" grafted in" (Ro 11:11-35).
The times of the Gentiles began with Judah's depression and captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, to whom God delegated the world empire (Jer 27:6-7), from whence Jeremiah's counsel to the Jews to submit to hint was true patriotism, not cowardice. Jerusalem has more or less been ever since "trodden down of the Gentiles," and shall be so "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Lu 21:24). Then shall the times of Israel begin with a glory eclipsing her past glory. "All Israel shall be saved." "The receiving of them shall be life from the dead" to the whole world (Mic 5:7; Isa 2:2-4; Re 11:2-15). The theocracy shall be restored with unparalleled splendor at the coming of Him "whose right it is" (Eze 21:27). The times of the gentile monarchies answer to Israel's seven times punishment (Le 26:18,21-24).
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By these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands; a man according to his tongue, according to their tribe, in their nations
And it shall be in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch king of Alasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations,
And in thy seed all the nations of the earth shall be praised; because that thou didst listen to my voice.
And now if hearing, ye shall hear to my voice, and watch my covenant, and ye were to me wealth above all peoples, for to me is all the earth. And ye shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These the words which thou shalt speak to the sons of Israel.
And if yet these ye will not hear to me, I added to chastise you seven times for your sins.
And if ye shall go hostile with me, and shall not be willing to hear to me, and I added upon you seven blows for your sins. And I sent upon you the beast of the field, and it bereaved you of children, and cut off your cattle, and, diminished you, and your ways were laid waste. read more. And if by these ye will not be admonished by me, and ye went hostile with me; And I went also hostile with you, and I struck you, also I, seven for your sins.
The king of Dor of the heights of Dor, one; the king of the nations to Gilgal, one;
And Jehovah will sell them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; and the captain of his army, Sisera; and he will dwell in Harosheth of the nations:
And saying to them, We bought off our brethren the Jews, being sold to the nations; according to the sufficiency in us and also will ye sell your brethren? and were they sold to us? And they will be silent, and they found not a word.
Announcing his word to Jacob, his laws and judgments to Israel. He did not thus to every nation: and judgments they knew them not Praise ye Jah.
And he will lift up the horn to his people, praise to all his godly ones; to the sons of Israel a people drawing near to him. Praise ye Jah.
And it was in the last days, the mountain of the house of Jehovah shall be prepared upon the head of the mountains, and lifted up above the hills; and all nations flowed to it And many people went and said, Come, and we will go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us from his ways, and we will go in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. read more. And he judged between the nations, and he will decide for many peoples: and they shall beat down their swords to plough-shares and their spears to pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and they shall no more learn war.
For the fainting not to what the straits to her according to the time of the first he made light the land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali; and afterward he made heavy the way of the sea beyond Jordan of Galilee of the nations.
And ye shall be called the priests of Jehovah, serving our God; he shall say to you, Ye shall eat the strength of the nations, and ye shall take place in their honor.
And now I gave all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel, my servant; and also the beasts of the field gave I to him to serve him. And all the nations served him, and his son, and his son's son, even till the time itself also of his land came: and many nations and great kings served upon him.
Perverted, perverted, perverted, will I set her: and this was not till he came which to him the judgment; and I gave him.
And the remnant of Jacob was in the midst of many peoples as the dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the green herb, which will not wait for man and will not delay for the sons of man.
And they shall fall by the mouth of the sword, and they shall be made captives in all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by all the nations, till the times of the nations should be completed.
And it was in Iconium according to the same, went they into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude of the Jews and also of Greeks believed.
And certain of them were persuaded, and were assigned by lot to Paul and Silas; and of worshipping Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the first women.
For I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to all believing; both to the Jew first, and the Greek.
Affliction and distress, upon every soul of man working evil, both of the Jew first, and of the Greek; But glory, and honour, and peace, to every one working good, both to the Jew first, and to the Greek:
What then the superiority of the Jew or what the advantage of circumcision? Much according to every manner: for truly first were they trusted with the oracles of God.
For no distinction is of the Jew and also of the Greek: for the same Lord of all being rich to all calling upon him.
I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? It may not be: but by their fall salvation to the nations, to make them jealous. And if their fall the riches of the world, and their disaster the riches of the nations; how much more their fulness? read more. (For I speak to you the nations, inasmuch as truly I am the sent of the nations, I highly value my service: If in some way I might make jealous my flesh, and I might save some of them.) For if their rejection the reconciliation of the world, what the reception, but life from the dead? And if the first fruit holy, also the mixture: and if the root holy, also the young shoots. And if certain of the young shoots were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in them, and wert a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Act not proudly to the young shoots. And if thou boastest, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, That the young shoots were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; for unbelief were they broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but do thou fear: For if God spared not the young shoots according to nature, how will he either spare thee Behold then the goodness and severity of God: truly upon the fallen, severity; and upon thee, goodness, if thou continue in goodness: otherwise shalt thou also be cut off. And they also, if they continue not in unbelief, shall be grafted in:for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou according to nature wert cut out of the wild olive tree, and against nature wert grafted into the cultivated olive tree: how much more these, according to nature, shall be grafted into their own olive tree For I will not ye should not know, brethren, this mystery, lest ye be wise with yourselves; for hardness from part has been to Israel, till the filling up of the nations come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as has been written, The Deliverer shall come out of Sion, and turn away profanation from Jacob. And this the covenant to them with me, when I take away their sins. Truly concerning the good news, enemies for you: and concerning the selection, beloved for the fathers. For the favors and calling of God not causing repentance. For as also ye, when ye were disobedient to God, but now ye have been commiserated by the unbelief of these: So they now also were disobedient, by your mercy that they also be commiserated. For God shut them all up together in unbelief, that he might commiserate all. O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! his judgments how unsearchable, and his ways not traced out! For who knew the mind of the Lord? or who was his counsel? Or who first gave to him, and it shall be given back to him?
And the court-yard that without the temple throw out, and thou mayest not measure it: for it was given to the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty-two months. And I will give to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, surrounded with sackcloth. read more. These are the two olive trees, and the two chandeliers which having stood before the God of the earth. And if any would injure them, fire goes forth out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any would injure them, so must he be put to death. These have power to shut up heaven, that the rain should not wet in the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with every blow, as often as they wish. And when they should finish their testimony, the wild beast coming up out of the abyss shall wage war with them, and shall conquer them, and kill them. And their slain bodies upon the spacious way of the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they from the people and tongues and nations shall see their slain bodies three days and a half, and they shall not suffer their slain bodies to be put into tombs. And they dwelling upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and shall be gladdened, and shall send gifts to one another; for these two prophets tortured them dwelling upon the earth. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God came upon them, and they stood upon their feet: and great fear fell upon those beholding them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they went up to heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And in that hour was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell, and there were slain in the shaking seven thousand names of men: and the rest were terrified, and they gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe passed away; behold, the third woe comes swiftly. And the seventh angel sounded the trumpet; and great voices were in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world were our Lord's, and his Christ's; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Hastings
Morish
A name commonly used in scripture to denote any and every nation except Israel. At times, when Israel as a people is referred to, the same words are used for them. Thus
1. goi, qno" -->???, ?????, is translated 'nation,' and refers to the Jewish nation. De 26:5; Lu 7:5; Joh 11:48. In the plural the same words refer to the nations generally in distinction from Israel, and are translated 'nations,' 'Gentiles,' and 'heathen.' De 18:9; 32:43; Isa 60:3; 62:2; Joe 2:19; Ac 11:1,18; Acts:13:19; Ac 28:28; etc.
2. ????? (in plural) is translated 'Gentiles' in Joh 7:35; Ro 2:9-10; 3:9; 1Co 10:32; 12:13, in contrast to the Jews; but would be better translated 'Greeks,' as it is in most places.
God had raised a wall between the Jews and the Gentiles, which in Christ's death was broken down for believers, "to make in himself of twain one new man." Eph 2:14. "There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . . for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Ga 3:28. This does not touch unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, who are kept separate in God's present and future dealings.
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When thou comest to the land which Jehovah thy God gave to thee,. thou shalt not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations.
And thou didst answer and say before Jehovah thy God, An unfortunate Syrian my father; and he went down into Egypt, and he will sojourn there with a few men, and will be there into a great nation, mighty and many.
Rejoice ye nations with him, For he will raise up the blood of his servants, And he will turn back vengeance to his adversaries, And he will expiate for his land, his people.
And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
And the nations shall see thy justice, and all kings thy glory: and a new name shall be called to thee which the mouth of Jehovah shall name it
And Jehovah will answer and say to his people, Behold me sending to you the grain and the new wine, and the new oil; and ye were satisfied with it: and I will no more give you a reproach among the nations.
For he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
Then said the Jews among themselves, Where is he about to go, that we shall not find him? is he not about to go to the dispersion of the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
If we let him thus go, all will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away also our place and nation.
And the apostles and brethren, those being in Judea, heard that the nations also received the word of God.
And having heard these, they were silent, and honoured God, saying, For also God gave the nations repentance to life.
Be it known to you therefore, that salvation of God was sent to the nations, and they shall hear.
Affliction and distress, upon every soul of man working evil, both of the Jew first, and of the Greek; But glory, and honour, and peace, to every one working good, both to the Jew first, and to the Greek:
What advantage therefore have we? Not in any way: for we before accused both Jews and Greeks, all to be under sin.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither servant nor free, there is neither male and female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
For he is our peace, having made both one, and having loosed the middle partition wall of the enclosure;
Smith
Gen'tiles
(nations). All the people who were not Jews were so called by them, being aliens from the worship, rites and privileges of Israel. The word was used contemptuously by them. In the New Testament it is used as equivalent to Greek. This use of the word seems to have arisen from the almost universal adaption of the Greek language.
Watsons
GENTILES, COURT OF THE. Josephus says there was, in the court of the temple, a wall, or balustrade, breast-high, with pillars at particular distances, and inscriptions on them in Greek and Latin, importing that strangers were forbidden from entering farther; here their offerings were received, and sacrifices were offered for them, they standing at the barrier; but they were not allowed to approach to the altar. Pompey, nevertheless, went even into the sanctuary, but behaved with strict decorum; and the next day he commanded the temple to be purified, and the customary sacrifices to be offered. A little before the last rebellion of the Jews, some mutineers would have persuaded the priests to accept no victim not presented by a Jew; and obliged them to reject those which were offered by command of the emperor, for the Roman people. The wisest in vain remonstrated with them on the danger this would bring on their country; urged that their ancestors had never rejected the presents of Gentiles; and that the temple was mostly adorned with the offerings of such people; at the same time, the most learned priests, who had spent their whole lives in the study of the law, testified that their forefathers had always received the sacrifices of strangers.
From the above particulars, we learn the meaning of what the Apostle Paul calls "the middle wall of partition," between Jews and Gentiles, broken down by the Gospel.