Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the term "Gentiles" refers to the nations or peoples who are not part of the Israelite community. Throughout the Scriptures, Gentiles are often depicted as living outside the covenant relationship with God, which is a status that frequently associates them with depravity and wickedness. This portrayal is rooted in their idolatrous practices, moral corruption, and opposition to God's chosen people.The Old Testament frequently highlights the moral and spiritual depravity of the Gentile nations. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12 , the Israelites are warned against adopting the abominable practices of the nations they are to dispossess: "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD." These practices are indicative of the spiritual corruption that characterized many Gentile societies. The prophets also speak to the wickedness of the Gentiles. In Isaiah 47:10 , Babylon, a symbol of Gentile pride and idolatry, is condemned: "You felt secure in your wickedness and said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge have deluded you, for you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is none besides me.'" This arrogance and self-deception are emblematic of the broader Gentile rejection of the true God. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the moral state of the Gentiles in his epistle to the Romans. Romans 1:21-23 describes their spiritual condition: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." This passage underscores the Gentiles' willful ignorance and idolatry, leading to a depraved mind and lifestyle. Paul further elaborates on the consequences of this depravity in Romans 1:28-32 : "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them." This vivid description highlights the extent of Gentile wickedness as a result of their rejection of God. Despite this portrayal, the biblical narrative also holds out hope for the Gentiles. The prophets foresaw a time when the nations would turn to the God of Israel. Isaiah 49:6 speaks of the Servant of the Lord as a light to the Gentiles: "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." This prophetic vision finds fulfillment in the New Testament, where the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to all nations, offering redemption and reconciliation with God to both Jews and Gentiles alike. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 1:28-32And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Torrey's Topical Textbook Ephesians 4:19 Library The Fourth Proposition. Concerning the Condition of Man in the ... The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ... Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall. Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ... Moral Depravity. Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators. Upon the Collections , iv. Psalm XCVII. Paul in Corinth. Death Swallowed up in victory Resources What is a Gentile? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)? | GotQuestions.org Who are the “other sheep” mentioned in John 10:16? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Gentiles: Blasphemous and Reproachful Gentiles: Called: Uncircumcised Gentiles: Called: Uncircumcision Gentiles: Christ Given As a Light To Gentiles: Comprehend all Nations Except the Jews Gentiles: Constant to Their False Gods Gentiles: Conversion of, Predicted Gentiles: Counsel of, Brought to Nought Gentiles: Excluded from Israel's Privileges Gentiles: First General Introduction of the Gospel To Gentiles: First Special Introduction of the Gospel To Gentiles: Given to Christ As his Inheritance Gentiles: Hated and Despised the Jews Gentiles: Israel Rejected Till the Fulness of Gentiles: Jerusalem Trodden Down By Gentiles: Not Allowed to Enter the Temple Gentiles: Often Ravaged and Defiled the Holy Land and Sanctuary Gentiles: Outer Court of Temple For Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Gentiles: Refusing to Know God Gentiles: The Gospel not to be Preached To, Till Preached to the Jews Gentiles: The Jews: Despised, As If Dogs Gentiles: The Jews: Dispersed Amongst Gentiles: The Jews: Never Associated With Gentiles: The Jews: Not to Follow the Ways of Gentiles: The Jews: Not to Intermarry With Gentiles: The Jews: Often Corrupted By Gentiles: The Jews: Permitted to Have, As Servants Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Gentiles: United With the Jews Against Christ Related Terms Instrumentality (5 Occurrences) |
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