Definition of the word Gentile
Hebrew- goy, plural- goyim meaning nation, people.
The KJV translates the Hebrew word as "Gentiles" 30 times, "people" 11 times, heathens 142 times, and nation 373 times. SOMETIMES GOY REFERS TO ISRAEL (GEN 12:2, DEUT 32:28, JOSH 3:17; 4:1; 10:13, 2 SAMUEL 7:23 ISA 1:4, ZEPH 2:9- TRANSLATED "NATION" OR "PEOPLE". BUT `AM IS THE ORDINARY TERM FOR ISRAEL. Goy usually means a non-Israelite people. In the NT, Greek ethnos is a translation of goy, while laos corresponds to Hebrew `am. Ethnos is translated "Gentiles" in the KJV, "Greeks" in the ASV, RSV (John 7:35, Romans 2:9-10; 3:9, 1 Cor 10:32; 12:13) and both always in the NIV.
In times of peace, considerate treatment was accorded Gentiles under OT law (Num 35:15, Duet 10:19; 24:14-15, Ezk 47:22) Men of Isreal often married gentile women, of whom Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba are noticable examples but the practice was frowned on after the return from exile. (Ezra 9:12; 10:2-44, Neh 10:30; 13:23-31) Seperation between Jew and Gentile became more strict, until in the NT period the hostility was comoplete. Persecution enbitered the Jew, and he retaliated by hatred of everything pertaining to Gentiles and by avoidence, so far as was possible, of contact with Gentiles. The intensity of this feeling varied and gave way before unusual kindness (luke 7:4-5)
While the teachings of Jesus ultimatly broke down "the middle wall of partition" between Jew and Gentile as seen in the writings of Paul. (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:24; Gal 3:28; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11) and in Acts, Jeus limited His ministry to Jews, with rare exceptions like the half Jewish samaritans, John 4:1-42. The Syrophonecian woman, Matt 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 and the Greeks in John 12:20-36. He instructed His twelve disciples, "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any towns of the Samaritans. Matthew 10:5 BUT HE DID NOT REPEAT THIS INJUNCTION WHEN HE SENT OUT THE SEVENTY. lUKE 10:1-16. AS A MATTER OF FACT MATTHEW IS THE ONLY DISCIPLE WHO RECORDS THIS QUOTE, AND BEING AS THOUGH MATTHEW WAS NOT PRESENT, HIS SOURCE COULD BE THE REASON FOR THAT QUOTE BECAUSE THERE IS PROOF THAT HE WAS NOT ANTI-GETILE. Jesus's mission was first to "His own" the chosen people of God but ultimatly to "all who recieved Him." 1:12 John
Why would Jesus teach Israel before Gentiles? Galations makes it very clear that the Gentiles were graphted into the covenant of Abraham through faith in Christ, so our acceptence is through that of the Jews, of which we have become one with in Christ. Limitations of time held His ministry on earth within the bonds of Israel and the message reaching to the Gentiles would have to be through the Holy Spirit given unto the disciples.
In Acts from the appointment of Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), the Gentiles become increasingly prominant. Even the letters addressed particurally to the Jewish Christians. (romans 9-11, Hewbrews, James, 1 Peter) are relevant to the Gentile as well.
THE DIVISION OF ALL MANKIND INTO TWO CLASSES, JEW AND GENTILE, EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JEWS AS THE THROUGH WHOM GOD MADE SALVATION AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE.
PRINCE, I HAVE CALLED YOU NAMES IN THE PAST POSTS AND I AM SORRY AND I ASK KINDLY FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT RIGHT. EVEN AS YOU AND I SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY, I AM CALLED TO LOVE YOU FOR YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD AND YOU BEAR HIS IMAGE.
Give all praises to The King of Righteousness and Salvation!
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