Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7535 Greeks

7535 Greeks

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7500 Jews and Gentiles » 7535 Greeks

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

“Greeks” used to describe non-Jews

Acts 21:27-28 See also Acts 16:1-3; Acts 20:21; Galatians 2:3

“Greeks” used to refer to God-fearers

John 12:20 See also Acts 17:4,12,17; Acts 18:4

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

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

Greeks and Jews are united in Christ

Colossians 3:11 See also 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-29