In biblical terms, "outsiders" often refers to those who are not part of the covenant community of Israel or the early Christian church. The concept of outsiders is significant in understanding the boundaries and inclusivity of God's people throughout the biblical narrative.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were set apart as God's chosen people, distinct from the surrounding nations. Outsiders, or "foreigners," were often seen as those who did not belong to the covenant community. However, the Law provided specific instructions on how to treat foreigners living among the Israelites. Leviticus 19:34 states, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the call to compassion and justice for those outside the covenant community.

The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman, exemplifies the inclusion of outsiders. Despite being a foreigner, Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and her faith in the God of Israel led to her becoming an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-22).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "outsiders" often refers to those outside the Christian faith. The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles, who were considered outsiders to the Jewish faith. The Apostle Paul played a crucial role in advocating for the inclusion of Gentiles, emphasizing that faith in Christ transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. In Galatians 3:28 , Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates Jesus' teaching on the treatment of outsiders. The Samaritan, considered an outsider by Jewish standards, is portrayed as the true neighbor who shows mercy, challenging the prevailing social and religious boundaries.

Instructions for the Church

The New Testament provides guidance on how believers should interact with outsiders. Colossians 4:5-6 advises, "Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This instruction emphasizes the importance of wisdom, grace, and readiness in engaging with those outside the faith.

Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 encourages believers to "aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone." This passage highlights the importance of living a respectable and independent life as a testimony to outsiders.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of outsiders in the biblical narrative points to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. While the Old Testament emphasizes the distinctiveness of Israel, it also foreshadows the inclusion of all nations. The New Testament fulfills this vision through the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

The treatment of outsiders serves as a reflection of God's character, calling His people to embody His love, justice, and mercy. The biblical narrative challenges believers to break down barriers and extend the message of salvation to all, regardless of their status as outsiders.1854. exo -- outside, without
... Word Origin from ek Definition outside, without NASB Word Usage away (2), foreign
(1), forth (1), outer (1), outside (20), outsiders* (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1854.htm - 6k

3588. ho, he, to -- the
... 1), experiences (2), far (1), followers* (1), former* (1), meat (1), one (6), one
who (1), one* (1), others (4), others* (1), outsiders* (3), people (1), sight ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3588.htm - 8k

A Nickname Accepted
... Clearly the name shows that the Church was beginning to attract the attention of
outsiders. ... If you are live Christians it will be plain enough to outsiders. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a nickname accepted.htm

The Surprised Jew.
... There had been with the Jews, always, a two-fold division, the Jew and the Gentiles,
or outside nations. Now three, the Jew, the outsiders, and the church. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the surprised jew.htm

The Cambridge Platform and the Half-Way Covenant
... The first was, since everybody had to attend public worship, the presence in
the congregations of outsiders as distinct from church members. ...
/.../chapter iv the cambridge platform.htm

Whether Anyone is Punished for Another's Sin?
... the father's sin, but for his own, inasmuch as he imitates his father's wickedness;
this would not be said of the children rather than of outsiders, who are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether anyone is punished for.htm

Finger-Posts
... There are some outsiders that have come into this family, but they do not have
the fine traits of blood-kin. ... But these are really outsiders. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/finger-posts.htm

The Royal Jubilee
... region for us to enter; but this we may say, that in all these sixty years of
diversified trial, there has been no act known to us outsiders inconsistent with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the royal jubilee.htm

First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... of the law who were "sitting by." I tried to represent the position of many in our
congregations who are just "sitting by." I preached to the outsiders of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/first forgiveness then healing.htm

Introduction
... stress upon reverent submission to the will of God as well as upon the duty of living
innocent and peaceable lives which will commend the faith to outsiders. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 2.htm

Unity of Baptism. Remarks on Heretical and Jewish Baptism.
... Heretics, however, have no fellowship in our discipline, whom the mere fact
of their excommunication [8694] testifies to be outsiders. ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter xv unity of baptism remarks.htm

The City of Benares.
... in the houses of some of the wealthier classes there are many females, who live,
in native phrase, behind the curtain, who are never seen by outsiders, to whom ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Outsiders (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Outsiders (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 5:12
For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Is it ...
/o/outsiders.htm - 7k

Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... This was not taught as an esoteric doctrine; it was well known to outsiders that
the Mysteries taught the greater blessedness of the initiated in the under ...
/m/mystery.htm - 42k

Outsider (9 Occurrences)

/o/outsider.htm - 9k

Outskirts (38 Occurrences)

/o/outskirts.htm - 17k

Apocrypha
... a sense virtually identical with "esoteric": so that "apocryphal writings" were
such as appealed to an inner circle and could not be understood by outsiders. ...
/a/apocrypha.htm - 48k

Anybody (12 Occurrences)
... temptation. (WEY). 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so as to live worthy lives in relation
to outsiders, and not be a burden to any one. (See NIV). ...
/a/anybody.htm - 9k

Relation (86 Occurrences)
... him), (BBE). 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so as to live worthy lives in relation to
outsiders, and not be a burden to any one. (WEY). 1 Timothy ...
/r/relation.htm - 33k

Nonimmersionist
... These initiations were secret, jealously guarded from the knowledge of all outsiders;
still enough is known about them for us to be sure that among them ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... These initiations were secret, jealously guarded from the knowledge of all outsiders;
still enough is known about them for us to be sure that among them ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

View (86 Occurrences)
... These initiations were secret, jealously guarded from the knowledge of all outsiders;
still enough is known about them for us to be sure that among them ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

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