When asking the question, “Who is a gentile?” there is both the
easy answer and the more complex answer. The easy answer is “Anyone who is not a
Jew.” But to understand what is being said in the New Testament we have to
understand the context and meaning of the words being used.
Pagans and Greeks
For
instance: go to the book of 1 Corinthians in the King James Version of the
Bible and see the inconsistency found in the verses below concerning
Gentiles.
1Corinthians 10:20 KJV
20 But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice
to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship
with devils.
1Corinthians 12:2 KJV
2 You
know that you were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols,
even as you were led.
1Corintians 12:13 KJV
13 For
by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.
1Corinthians 10:32 KJV
32 Give
none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
church of God:
In the
above verses, first we read that Gentiles sacrifice to devils. Next we
read that the people that Paul is addressing