Biblical Law and Government

Lesson Seven - Page 4

(9) In conclusion, “ethnos” sometimes translated “nation” and other times translated “gentiles” may refer to;

( ) a. Both Jewish and non-Jewish nations. ( ) b. Only non-Jewish nations. ( ) c. Only Jewish nations.

SUMMARY: The Greek word “Ethnos” means a group of people of the same race or nationality who share a common and distinctive culture. The word “ethnos” translated “gentile” does not mean “non-Jew.”

The Greek Word “Hellen” Translated “Gentiles” The other Greek word translated “gentiles” in the New Testament is “hellen.” One example is John 7:35, “. . . . will He go to the dispersed among the gentiles (hellen), and teach the gentiles (hellen)?”

In dictionary of Strong’s Concordance it is word #1672:

# 1672 HELLEN, A Hellen (Greek) or inhabitant of Hellen (Greece). A Greek speaking person, especially, non-Judean.

The word “hellen” means Greek. Nearly all revised versions of the Bible translate this verse, “Will He go to the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?” In the New Testament the word “hellen” occurs 27 times. It is translated:

Greeks. . . . . 20 times. Gentiles. . . . .7 times.

SUMMARY: The Greek word “Hellen” that is translated “gentiles” simply means “GREEK.” It does not have the meaning non-Jew anymore than it has the meaning non-Roman or non-American. It very simply means “Greek” (a person) or Greece (The nationality or nation).

Popular Teachings

Many ministers teach that there are only three classifications of people, (1) Jews, (2) Gentiles and (3) The Church of God. This understanding comes from 1 Corinthians 10:32.

“Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God”

(10) Paul was writing a letter to the Corinthians. The city of Corinth was in Greece. In Corinth there were three types of people, (1) Jews (2) Greeks and (3) Christians. If the translators had translated the Greek word “hellen” into the English word “Greek” then 1 Corinthians 10:32 would read; “Give non offense, neither to the Jews, nor the __ __ __ __ __ __ nor the Church of God.”

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Ten Commandments Bible Law Course Sovereignty Education and Defense Ministry (SEDM), http://sedm.org