The Greek term ethne, which means “nations, people groups, people,” and the Hebrew word goyim, which means “people, nations,” are translated as “Gentile” in English. These terms were rendered as gentilis in the Latin Vulgate, and the English word “gentile” was derived from this word. A non-Jew is referred to by this phrase.
Gentiles were frequently seen by Jews as pagans who were unaware of the true God. Many Jews in the time of Jesus were so proud of their religious and cultural background that they referred to Gentiles as “dogs” and “the uncircumcised,” branding them “unclean.” It was believed that gentiles and Samaritans who were half-Gentiles should be avoided as foes.
Jesus made reference to the widespread belief that Gentiles practice paganism in the Sermon on the Mount, saying, “If you welcome just your brethren, what more are you doing than others? “Don’t even the non-Christians follow suit?” Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words,” in another passage of the same speech. The NIV just translates the relevant term as “pagans” in each of these instances.
Jesus came to bring salvation to both Gentiles and Jews. The Messiah’s global mission was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, who also declared that He would be “a light to the Gentiles” and “bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” A Gentile mother who had requested for her daughter’s release from a demon is helped by Jesus in Mark 7:26.
It’s interesting to note that the story of Jesus’ death mentions both Jews and Gentiles. Although Jesus was taken into custody by Jewish authorities, a Roman judge declared Him worthy of death, and Roman soldiers carried out the execution. Subsequently, the apostles prayed, “Truly, in this city [Jerusalem], the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered together to plot against your holy servant Jesus.”
Throughout the early New Testament era, a large number of Gentiles were won over to Christianity. Acts 11:18 describes the response of the Jerusalem-based Jewish Christians, who “praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted repentance that leads to life even to Gentiles.'” “They were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed,” the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch said upon hearing the good news.
Paul stated his intention in a letter to the predominantly Gentile church in Rome, saying, “Because the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Paul came to understand that anybody who would believe in the name of Jesus would have the chance to be saved as a result of his arrival.
Although Gentiles were traditionally viewed as Jewish foes, Christ brought good news to both groups. “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world,” Paul wrote in his epistolary epistolary epistle to the church at Ephesus, extolling the kindness of the Lord. However, through the blood of Christ, you who were once far away have now become close in Christ Jesus. Because he is our peace, he has united the two groups – Jews and Gentiles – and torn down the hostile wall that separated them.
📌FOR FURTHER STUDY
📖 The Path of the Righteous Gentile: An Introduction to the Seven Laws of the Children of Noah