The Scythians consisted of "all the pastoral tribes who dwelt to the north of the Black Sea and the Caspian, and were scattered far away toward the east. Of this vast country but little was anciently known. Its modern representative is Russia, which, to a great extent, includes the same territories." They were the descendants of Japheth (Ge 9:27). It appears that in apostolic times there were some of this people that embraced Christianity (Col 3:11).

Col 3:11. More barbarian heretofore than the barbarians. The unity of the divine life shared in by all believers counterbalances differences as great as that between the polished "Greek" and the rude "Scythian." Christianity is the true spring of sound culture, social and moral.

Scyth'ian

This word, being associated with the term 'barbarian,' signifies a most uncultivated person. Col 3:11. Happily such a one has the same reception as the most cultivated: such is the grace of God. 'In Christ Jesus' all distinctions are lost. As a race, the Scythians were located north of the Caspian and Black Seas. They were esteemed by the ancients as very low in intelligence and culture.

Scyth'ian

occurs in

Col 3:11

as a generalized term for rude, ignorant, degraded. The name often included all the nomadic tribes, who dwelt mostly on the north of the Black and the Caspian Sea, stretching thence indefinitely into inner Asia, and were regarded by the ancients as standing extremely low In point of intelligence and civilization.