pvj-03: Word Studies — Jesus's Audience vs Paul's Audience¶

G1484 — ethnos (ἔθνος)¶

Definition: A race (as of the same habit), a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one, i.e., Gentile; by implication, a pagan
KJV translations: "Gentiles" (62x), "nations" (35x), "nation" (19x), "the Gentiles" (18x), "heathen" (5x), "people" (2x)
Dual meaning significance: The same Greek word translates as both "nations" and "Gentiles" in the KJV. This is critical for interpreting Matt 28:19 ("teach all nations" = panta ta ethne) — the same word Jesus uses for "all nations" in the Great Commission is the word Paul uses for "Gentiles" throughout his epistles.
In Jesus's teaching: Matt 24:14 ("all nations"), Matt 28:19 ("all nations"), Matt 6:32 ("the Gentiles seek"), Matt 10:5 ("the way of the Gentiles"), Matt 10:18 ("a testimony against them and the Gentiles"), Matt 12:18 ("he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles"), Matt 12:21 ("in his name shall the Gentiles trust")
In Paul's letters: Rom 1:5 ("among all nations"), Rom 1:13 ("among other Gentiles"), Rom 3:29 ("of the Gentiles"), Rom 11:13 ("apostle of the Gentiles"), Gal 2:8 ("toward the Gentiles"), Gal 3:14 ("upon the Gentiles"), Eph 2:11 ("Gentiles in the flesh"), Eph 3:6 ("the Gentiles should be fellowheirs")

Definition: Belonging to Judah, i.e., Jewish; a Jew or descendant of Judah
KJV translations: "Jews" (166x), "of Judaea" (7x), "Jew" (5x), "of the Jews" (4x), "Jewess" (2x)
Usage pattern: Used by both Jesus (John 4:22, "salvation is of the Jews") and Paul (Rom 1:16, "to the Jew first"; Rom 2:9-10; Gal 2:14-15; etc.)
Key observation: Paul himself was a Jew (Phil 3:5, "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews") writing about the inclusion of non-Jews

Definition: Properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will); a covenant, testament
KJV translations: "covenant" (15x), "testament" (11x), "covenants" (3x), "the covenant" (2x)
In Jesus's words: Matt 26:28 ("this is my blood of the new testament"); Luke 22:20 ("This cup is the new testament in my blood")
In Paul's letters: 1 Cor 11:25 ("This cup is the new testament in my blood"); 2 Cor 3:6 ("ministers of the new testament"); 2 Cor 3:14 ("the old testament"); Gal 3:15-17 (covenant cannot be disannulled); Gal 4:24 (two covenants allegory); Eph 2:12 ("strangers from the covenants of promise")
Key observation: Both Jesus and Paul reference the "new testament/covenant." Jesus inaugurates it at the Last Supper. Paul explains its implications for Jew-Gentile relations.

Definition: Cut around; circumcision (the rite, the condition, or the people)
KJV translations: "circumcision" (31x), "circumcised" (4x), "the circumcision" (1x)
Significance: Circumcision serves as the primary identity marker dividing Jew from Gentile in Paul's letters. Paul speaks of "the gospel of the uncircumcision" vs. "the gospel of the circumcision" (Gal 2:7) — not two different gospels but two audience-specific commissions.
Paul's resolution: "In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal 5:6)

Definition: The prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised Gentile
KJV translations: "uncircumcision" (15x), "uncircumcised" (4x)
Paul's usage: Rom 2:26-27 ("if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law"), Rom 3:30 ("justify... uncircumcision through faith"), Rom 4:9-12 (Abraham believed before circumcision), Gal 2:7 ("gospel of the uncircumcision")

ethnos ambiguity: Jesus's "all nations" (Matt 28:19) and Paul's "Gentiles" are the same Greek word. Jesus already anticipated a mission beyond Israel in his post-resurrection commands.
"Jew first" pattern: Paul's formula "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek/Gentile" (Rom 1:16; 2:9-10) parallels Jesus's own ministry pattern: first to Israel (Matt 10:5-6; 15:24), then to all nations (Matt 28:19).
Covenant vocabulary: Both Jesus and Paul use diatheke. Jesus inaugurates the new covenant (Matt 26:28). Paul explains its implications for the law and Gentile inclusion (2 Cor 3:6; Gal 3-4; Eph 2:12).
Circumcision as audience marker: Paul's language of "circumcision" and "uncircumcision" is an audience description, not a doctrinal difference. Gal 2:7-9 presents the division as geographical/ethnic commission, not theological content.