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ἐθνικός (ethnikos)

ethnikos

Gentile-like

G1482 · Greek · New Testament · 4 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
4 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective ethnikos describes something that belongs to or resembles a nation, specifically in the sense of being foreign or distinct from Israel. In the New Testament, it functions as a substantive noun to refer to Gentiles—those who are not Jewish and thus alien to the worship of the true God. The sources note that this term characterizes people by their cultural and religious nature rather than merely their geographic position.

This word appears in four key verses, highlighting how Jesus distinguished between his immediate community and the wider world. In Matthew 5:47, he questions the merit of loving only one’s own kin, contrasting this with the behavior of ethnikoi who do the same. Similarly, Matthew 6:7 warns against using "vain repetitions" like the Gentiles, implying a difference in prayer style. The term reappears in Matthew 18:17 regarding church discipline and in 3 John 7 to describe missionaries who accept no support from ethnikoi.

Its root lies in ethnos, meaning nation or people group. While it can simply mean "national" in secular Greek, the biblical usage carries a theological weight, marking a boundary between the covenant people of Israel and the surrounding pagan world. Translators typically render it as "Gentile" or "pagan," preserving this distinction of identity and practice.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word ethnikos marks a boundary between Israel and the surrounding nations, often translated as 'Gentile.' In Matthew 6:7, Jesus contrasts Christian prayer with the vain repetitions of these groups, inviting us to trust God’s knowledge rather than performative speech. This distinction highlights a different way of relating to the divine, rooted in intimacy rather than ritual volume.

Yet the term also appears in Matthew 18:17, where Jesus instructs treating an unrepentant member as 'a Gentile or a tax collector.' Here, the label signals exclusion from the covenant community, yet it also recalls how Jesus himself associated with such outsiders. The word thus carries both separation and the potential for inclusion.

For your faith, this reminds us that our identity in Christ transcends ethnic or cultural lines. We are called to pray simply and live inclusively, reflecting a kingdom where boundaries are redrawn by grace rather than heritage.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • pagans;1×
  • pagan1×
  • Gentiles1×
  • Gentile [people].1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἐθνικῶν.1×
  • ἐθνικὸς1×
  • ἐθνικοί·1×
  • ἐθνικοὶ1×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 6:7
    In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

    This verse uses the term to contrast Christian prayer with Gentile practices of vain repetition, emphasizing trust over ritual.

  • Matthew 18:17
    If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

    Here the word defines a boundary within the church, marking those who reject discipline as outside the covenant community.

  • III John 1:7
    because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

    The term identifies the source of support for missionaries, highlighting their reliance on believers rather than non-Jewish networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ethnikos mean in the New Testament?

It is an adjective meaning 'Gentile-like' or 'of the nations,' often functioning as a noun to refer to non-Jewish people. It distinguishes those outside the covenant community of Israel from the Jewish people.

How is ethnikos different from other words for Gentile?

While it shares meaning with allophyllos (foreigner) or hellen (Greek), ethnikos specifically emphasizes ethnic and religious distinctiveness from Israel. It carries theological weight regarding covenant boundaries.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears four times: Matthew 5:47, Matthew 6:7, Matthew 18:17, and III John 1:7. These verses highlight its use in teaching on prayer, church discipline, and missionary support.

Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)

Matthew 3 verses
Matthew 5:47

If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

Matthew 6:7

In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much…

Matthew 18:17

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as…

III John 1 verse