The inhabitants of Greece and her empire. The term is also used to describe non-Jews, so that “Greek”, in the NT, is virtually synonymous with “Gentile”. While distinctions between Greek and Jew on the one hand, and Greek and barbarian on the other, were important in the world at large, such divisions are to have no place within the church.
The cultural distinctiveness of Greeks in NT times
John 7:35 See also Mark 7:26; Acts 6:1, Acts 9:29; Romans 1:14
At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
``Greeks'' used to describe non-Jews
Acts 21:27–28 See also Acts 16:1–3, Acts 20:21; Galatians 2:3
When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
``Greeks'' used to refer to God-fearers
John 12:20 See also Acts 17:4, Acts 17:12, Acts 17:17, Acts 18:4
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.
Greeks may reject the gospel as foolishness
1 Corinthians 1:22–23 The high value placed by the Greeks upon human wisdom could hinder their response to the gospel. See also Acts 17:18–34
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
In Christ there is no distinction between Greeks and Jews
Greeks and Jews share the same salvation
Romans 10:11–13 See also Romans 3:28–30; 1 Corinthians 1:22–24
It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Greeks and Jews are united in Christ
Colossians 3:11 See also 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26–29
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.