< Vorige | Inhoud | Volgende >
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, γοι, ἔθνος, is translated 'nation,' and refers to the Jewish nation. Deut. 26: 5; Luke 7: 5; John 11: 48. In the plural the same words refer to the nations generally in distinction from Israel, and are translated 'nations,' 'Gentiles,' and 'heathen.' Deut. 18: 9; Deut. 32: 43; Isa. 60: 3; Isa. 62: 2; Joel 2: 19; Acts 11: 1, 18; Acts:13: 19; Acts 28: 28; etc.
2. Ἕλλην (in plural) is translated 'Gentiles' in John 7: 35; Rom. 2: 9, 10; Rom. 3: 9; 1 Cor. 10: 32; 1 Cor. 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." Gal. 3: 28. This does
not touch unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, who are kept separate in God's present and future dealings.