Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6209 pagans

OT use of the term “pagan”

Used of foreign adherents of heathen religions

Isaiah 2:6 See also 2 Kings 23:4-7; Zephaniah 1:4-6

Used of heathen religions, peoples and countries

Isaiah 57:8 See also Lamentations 1:10; Amos 7:17

In the Gospels “pagans” is synonymous with “Gentiles”

Matthew 6:7 See also Matthew 5:47; Matthew 6:32 pp Luke 12:30; Matthew 18:17

The term “pagans” is used to refer to people who were neither Jews nor Christians

Pagans as idolaters

1 Corinthians 12:2 See also 1 Corinthians 10:7; Exodus 32:6; 1 Corinthians 10:20

Pagans as immoral

1 Peter 4:3 See also 1 Corinthians 5:1

Many believers lived among the pagans

1 Peter 2:12 See also 3Jn 7

See also

4132  demons, malevolence
4936  fate
5811  compromise
6257  unbelievers
7471  temples, heathen
7510  Gentiles
8142  religion
8768  idolatry