Were the Gentiles Paul preached to non Hebrew speaking Israelites?
The Hebrew Israelites claim that Jesus did not come for everyone rather he only came for the Israelites. This obviously would seemingly contradict the Bibles clear message of salvation being available to everyone and anyone and against the clear statement that Jesus was given for the whole world.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So how can the Hebrew Israelites make such a claim? Well the answer is simply by cherry picking scriptures and or misinterpreting them. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say this is through ignorance and not willful deception but I must admit this is a huge benefit of the doubt being given.
They will most often state that Jesus himself had said that he had only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel
Matthew 15-24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
They will also more often than not point to the fact that Jesus had told his disciples not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans but rather ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel when he had sent out the 12 on their ministry.
Matthew 10-5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
The word Gentiles here is the Greek word ἔθνος ethnos, foreign nations not worshipping God (non Jewish).
So it is very clear that Jesus did indeed tell his disciples not to go to the non Jewish people called Gentiles. There will be no argument from me regarding this statement. There simply is no denying it.
This was though, BEFORE his death, burial and resurrection. This is an important fact that will become relevant later on in this study.
Paul, who was called after the resurrection of Jesus, however states that there is no Jew or Gentile in Christ.
Galatians 3-26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Most people who try to argue against the HI will go to this passage as evidence against the HI claim.
BUT the Hebrew Israelites claim that the Gentiles in this passage, unlike the gentiles that Jesus had told his disciples not to go to, are not non Israelites but are actually the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who were referred to as gentiles by the house of Judah as although they were physical Israelites they were not keeping the law.
They point to the fact that the word Gentile used by Paul is not translated from the Greek Ethnos as it is in Matthew 10-5 but rather it is the Greek Ἕλλην Hellén. They further claim that this means a Jew who spoke Greek and so when it said there is no Jew or Gentile it was referring to the Jews of the southern Kingdom who were in Israel and the gentiles being the non Hebrew speaking Jews of the Northern kingdom who were scattered abroad. Both refer to Israelites only.
They further claim that this also applies when Paul refers to the Jew first but also the Greek in Romans 1-16 and 2-9/10
Romans 1-16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 2- 9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
In these verses the word Gentile is again translated from the Greek Hellen and not Ethnos.
Most people who argue against the HI who have used any of the previous verses are normally left without an argument as most are not even aware of the difference in the Greek wording. I am however aware and am going to give an answer.
The HI claim is simply incorrect. While the Greek word in these verses most certainly is Hellen and not ethnos this is not for debate, this is a fact, Hellen does NOT mean a Greek speaking Jew. Hellen means a native Greek but also can be used of a Greek speaker but a non Jew. Hellen is strongs word 1672 and strongs itself gives the definition as
A Greek, usually a name for a Gentile
Usage: a Hellene, the native word for a Greek; it is, however, a term wide enough to include all Greek-speaking (i.e. educated) non-Jew
Many Hebrew Israelites like to use BlueletterBible so let’s get the definition from this site.
a Greek either by nationality, whether a native of the main land or of the Greek islands or colonies
- in a wider sense the name embraces all nations not Jews that made the language, customs, and learning of the Greeks their own; the primary reference is to a difference of religion and worship
Hellen does NOT in any way mean a Greek speaking Jew.
We see Hellen being translated as Gentiles twice in John 7-35
John 7-35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
In the Hi understanding this says will he go and teach the dispersed (Jews who were scattered amongst the nation) and teach the non Hebrew speaking Jews amongst them and teach the non Hebrew speaking Jews. This simply makes no sense at all.
We see that Hellen is also translated as Greek when referring to an actual person from Greece, an actual Greek.
Titus who Paul wrote an epistle to is called a Greek.
Galatians 2- 1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Greek being translated from Hellen. Titus was a non Israelite man from Greece most likely from Antioch.
So the claim of the Hebrew Israelites is based on their misrepresentation or misinterpretation of the Greek word Hellen.
BUT there is a Greek word that DOES specifically mean a Greek speaking Jew.
The word for a Grecianised Jew is Hellenist Ἑλληνιστής, Hellénistés is strongs 1675
a Hellenist, Grecian Jew, a Greek-speaking Jew, that is one who can speak Greek only and not Hebrew (or Aramaic).
So it is the word HELLENIST not HELLEN that refers to a non Hebrew speaking Jew.
Let’s have a look at the definition on Blueletterbible
a Hellenist
- one who imitates the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and use the Greek tongue
- used in the NT of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek
While being a similar word it is not the same word and does not have the same meaning. The Hebrew Israelites have simply taken the meaning of Hellenist and applied it to the word Hellen.
This word appears 3 times in the Bible and it is translated as GRECIANS…NOT Greek or Gentile.
Acts 6-1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Grecians in this verse is referring to the Jews who could only speak Greek.
Also translated as Grecian in Acts 9-29
Acts 9-29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him
And in acts 11-20
Acts 11- 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
We see that Stephan is stated as preaching ONLY to the Jews but some were speaking to the Grecians (Greek speaking Jews).
The word is translated as Heathen in 2 Maccabees (which many HI accept as scripture)
2 Maccabees 1-27 “Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.”
So when Paul refers to the gentiles in Romans 1-6 2-9/10 and in Galatians 3-29 he is referring to ANYONE that spoke Greek which included the HELLENISTS, the Greek speaking Jews. Where Ethnos refers only to a non Jew, Hellen refers to anyone that spoke Greek and includes the Greek speaking Jews while Hellenist refers specifically only to the Greek speaking Jews. Three separate words referring to 3 different groups of people.
Paul states in the book of Acts that the Lord had chosen him as a vessel to bear his name before the Gentiles.
Acts 9-15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
The word for Gentiles in this verse is Ethnos. Paul therefore claimed that he was sent by the Lord to the very people that Jesus had told his disciples not to go to. Notice also that this verse very clearly distinguishes between the Gentiles and the children of Israel. Paul was a chosen vessel to bear Gods name before BOTH Gentiles AND the children of Israel. It does NOT say Jews and Gentiles. The children of Israel are not the Gentiles.
He again states that he was to preach the riches of Christ amongst the Gentiles in Ephesians.
Ephesians 3-8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Again Gentiles being the Greek ethnos
Paul also uses a similar term as we already saw in Romans 1-6 and 2-9/10, to the Jews first but also to the gentiles later on his letter to the Romans, however this time rather than using the Greek Hellen as in the previous examples, he uses the word Ethnos for Gentiles. He states not only to the Jew but also of the Gentile.
Romans 9-24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
It is very clear that Paul included the Ethnos, the non Jew here.
The Hebrew Israelites claim that the Gentiles that Paul referred to were ONLY non Hebrew speaking Jews fails not only because they incorrectly apply the meaning of Hellen but also because Paul also uses the word Ethnos, the very people that they claim Paul was not referring to.
However Paul again states that there is no difference between a Jew and a Greek
Romans 10- 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
The word Greek here is Hellen. So this was anyone that was a Greek speaker which included the Hellenists.
Paul in the very next verse states that WHOEVER calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
Romans 10-13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
There is no distinction here. This is WHOEVER.
Paul taught both Jews and Greeks, (Hellen)
Act 19- 10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 19-17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
The Greeks that Paul taught were Greek speakers which would include the Greek speaking Jews. But Paul also clearly went to the ethnos, non Jew.
In his epistle to the Colossians Paul not only referred to the Jews and Greeks but also includes the Barbarians and the Scythians as being one in Christ along with the Greek and the Jew.
Colossians 3 – 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Greek is Hellen, Barbarian is βάρβαρος : barbaros a foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign.
Σκύθης Skuthés considered the wildest of Barbarians. uncivilized
So we see that Paul clearly includes the non Greek speaking non Jews in Christ.
Near the end of the book of Acts in chapter 226 Paul reiterates that Jesus had sent him to the ethnos Gentiles to open their eyes and so that they might receive forgiveness of sins and INHERITANCE along with those sanctified by faith
Acts 26- 12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Gentiles here is yet again Ethnos
But we must ask why was Paul sent to the very Gentiles that Jesus had forbidden his disciples to go to?
When Jesus came he came as the Jewish Messiah. One of the missions of the Messiah was to restore the 2 kingdoms, the house of Israel and the house of Judah, back as one kingdom.
This is why Jesus stated he had only come for the lost sheep of the house of Israel
Matthew 15-24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jesus had come to bring the scattered Israelites back and set up a united Kingdom. Jesus could have fulfilled that role had he been accepted by the Jews as their Messiah. However, as already prophesied to, Jesus was rejected by the people he had come for and was crucified.
Jesus was from the house of Judah. Jesus was rejected by his own.
John 1-11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Jesus, after his resurrection, changed his command unto his disciples and told his disciples to go to ALL nations and baptise.
Matthew 28-19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The Hebrew Israelites will try to also assert here that this means only the Jews in those nations. As we have already seen this is incorrect as the word very clearly went to the non Jew Gentiles also.
In the parallel passage in Mark we have an added bit of information
Mark 16- . 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Creature is the Greek κτίσις, ktisis a creature of creation.
Jesus said to preach the gospel to EVERYONE. This command to preach to all nations was not limited to the Jews or the Greek speaking Jews only. The rejected, crucified and resurrected Jesus was for EVERYONE.
It can’t go without mentioning that the house of Israel are the Northern Kingdom of the Israelites. If Jesus only came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel then Jesus did not in fact come for the Jews themselves (Judah, Benjamin and Levi) These 3 tribes were collectively known as the house of Judah.
Jesus even said to the JEWS that they were not his sheep. Christs sheep hear his voice and follow him.
John 10- 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Jesus stated that he had sheep not of THIS fold
John 10-16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Jesus stated that they would hear his voice and he would bring them and there would be one fold.
He said this immediately after stating that he would lay down his life for his sheep.
John 10-15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Isaiah stated that the Christ would have a seed.
Isaiah 53- 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
This was not a physical seed but a spiritual seed. Just as those who are of Christ are Abraham’s seed and heir to the promise.
Galatians 3-29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
An Israelite is not an Israelite by the flesh but an Israelite is one inwardly of the heart.
Romans 2- 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Those that follow Jesus and hear his voice are his.
Paul states that the reason the Gentiles were grafted in was to bring the Israelites to jealousy
Romans 11- 11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Paul stated in the previous chapter that Israel already knew that they would be provoked to jealousy via another nation for Moses had even stated it.
Romans 10- 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
This is found in the book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 32-21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Yet again Paul reiterates he is the apostle to the Gentiles
Romans 11- 13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
That by provoking them to jealousy he might save some of is flesh.. Israel.
Romans 11- 14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Many Christians use Romans 9:24-26 as proof that the Gentiles will be called the children of the living God.
Romans 9- 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
So we see that the gentiles are indeed referenced as being called and not just the Jews only and so the Christian claim being that the Gentiles the non Jews are also called by God.
However many Hebrew Israelites object to this claim by the Christians and say that the Gentiles being referred to are actually the scattered Israelites or rather the house of Israel, the northern tribes.
They will then cite the passage in Hosea that Paul makes reference to in verse 25 and will correctly assert that the ones that God said he would call his people who were not his people in this passage were actually the Israelites, the scattered Israelites and not the Non Israelites at all.
Hosea 1- 8Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. 9Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
If we go back to the book of Hosea there simply is no disputing that Hosea IS talking about the Israelites who would be cut off, scattered.
This is usually where most Christians are shown “incorrect”. Most Christians simply do not have an answer to this as most Christians are in fact not even aware that Paul does refer to Hosea and the passage is NOT about non Israelites. This then almost always makes the Hebrew Israelites seem correct.
HOWEVER we are going to see that the Hebrew Israelites are not correct in their understanding of Pauls usage of Hosea.
So how can the Gentiles that Paul was referring to be non Israelites when the ones that God said were not his people were Israelites.
The first thing we need to notice is that Gentiles here is the Greek word Ethnos. This is the first giveaway that Paul in Romans 9-24 is referring to non Israelites
Paul is NOT in fact referring to the Gentiles as the same people that God said were not his people. Paul states in verse 24 that God has called not just the Jews but the Gentiles also.
BUT Paul is NOT using Verse 25 to link the Gentiles of verse 24 to the people that God stated were not his people in verse 25. Paul is NOT saying that the Gentiles in verse 24 are the ones that God had said were not his people in verse 25. This is vitally important
Paul actually uses the story in Hosea as an EXAMPLE
Paul is simply highlighting and using the story in Hosea to demonstrate that God can call ANYONE that he so wishes , that were not his people and call them his people.
When we look at verse 25 Paul states ALSO as he (God) said in Hosea.
Romans 9- 25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Paul does not say AS he (God) says in Hosea.
So ALSO as God said in Hosea that he would call those who he said were not his people , his people, he would ALSO call the Gentiles his people.
Prior to this verse Paul had just argued that who were they, the ones God made, to argue against the maker. That God could make the riches of mercy known to however.
Romans 9- 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
The Hebrew Israelite claim that the gentiles of Romans are the same people as those described in Hosea is false. Paul uses them to demonstrate Gods calling of the Gentiles and how just as he will call those Israelites he said were not his people his people ALSO he has done so with the Gentiles.
The Gentiles who were not his people will be called his people ALSO, as the cut of Israelites will be.
This is PERFECTLY shown in Romans 9 where Paul refers to the grafting in of the WILD olive branch to partake of the root of the olive tree AND the reconnecting of the NATURAL branches.
Romans 11- 17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Wild olive tree is ἀγριέλαιος a wild unultivated olive tree (refering to the Gentiles)
Olive tree is ἐλαία elaia a non wild olive tree used in the mount of olives and refers to Israel
Now some people, the Hebrew Israelites in particular will say that the wild olive branch is actually the house of Israel, the Northern Kingdom who are referred to as wild branches but will be grafted back in. They will often point to verse 23 to prove this where it says God is able to graft them in AGAIN.
Romans 11-23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again
Clearly this is referring to the Israelites that have been cut off.
However the assertion that the wild olive tree are the cut off Israelites is simply incorrect and it ignores the rest of the passage.
When fully analysed we will see that there are 3 separate referents here. The Olive tree which is Israel (12 tribes) the wild olive tree (Gentiles) and the natural branches that have been cut off (the scattered Israelites)
To understand this correctly we need to look at verses 17 through 24 and break this down.
We start of with the information that the natural branches are cut off. The natural branches are Israelites. They have been cut off. We also have the information that the wild olive tree has been grafted in amongst the olive tree.
Romans 11-17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
This does not say the natural branches being grafted back in and neither does it say the natural branches have become a wild olive tree. This is a separate wild tree (Gentiles) that is grafted into the olive tree which is Israel. The natural branches and the wild olive tree are two distinct referents.
The Gentiles, the grafted in, are told NOT to boast against the root (the olive tree)
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Then we are told that the NATURAL branches (cut off Israelites) were cut of THAT the wild olive branch could be grafted in.
19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
The natural branches cut off because of unbelief.
20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
We are then told that if the NATURAL branches were not spared then God could do the same to the wild olive branch.
21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
2 separate referents again.
They are warned to continue in Gods goodness or they would be cut off as well. As well as the natural branches.
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Then we have an important piece of information and explanation of verse 23. If THEY (the natural branches abide still not in unbelief …if they have turned back to belief, then God will graft them back in.
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
God will graft back in the ones that were in unbelief (the natural branches were the ones cut off for unbelief)
And the most important verse of all comes in verse 24 where all THREE referents are found. We are told that those cut out of the WILD olive tree (gentiles) were grafted in to the OLIVE TREE (Israel) how much more shall the NATURAL branches(cut of Israelites) be grafted into their OWN olive tree
24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
3 referents all very clearly distinguished between. Here the cut off Israelites are referred to natural branches and not the wild olive tree which is the Gentiles. There is no possible wa that the wild olive tree can be cut off Israelites as they are referred to as natural branches.
James, as correctly pointed out by many Hebrew Israelites, wrote to the 12 tribes scattered abroad
James 1-1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
We know that Before Paul was called, Peter was preaching to the STRANGERS scattered abroad
1 Peter 1-1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Elect being the Greek Ἐκλεκτός eklektos , chosen , elect,
Stranger here is parepidémos παρεπίδημος which means a sojourner in a land that is not their own.
Scattered is διασπορά diaspora the Jews scattered in foreign lands
This epistle was very clearly sent to physical Israelites who were living outside of Israel.
Paul states that Peter was the Apostle to the Jews, while he, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles
Galatians 2- 7 but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
The Gentiles and Heathen that Paul refers to here are again both ethnos.
However even Peter, the apostle to the Jews, after Paul was called, was also told by God to preach to the Gentiles. Peter himself state that God told him 3 times to do so.
Acts 10- 9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Peter later recalled this to the council at Jerusalem.The apostles and Brethren heard that the Gentiles had received the word of God.
Acts 11- 1And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Gentiles here is Ethnos.
Peter addressed the Council
Acts 11- 2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: 13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
When they heard what Peter had said they themselves stated that God had granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles.
Acts 11- 18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
No prizes for guessing that the word translated as Gentiles here is ethnos. The Gentiles that God had granted repentance unto life were the non Jews.
The message most certainly did go to the Israelites first.
Paul however stated that the word was given FIRST to the Jews but because they had rejected it, it went to the gentiles instead.
Acts 13-46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Paul stated that the word came first to the Jews but as they put it from them they turned to the gentiles. Gentiles here again being the Greek Ethnos, non Jews. Paul says that he was to be a light to the gentiles. A role that Israel itself was meant to play (see my writing the purpose of Israel.
So we see that the Gentiles that the disciples preached unto Jesus were not only Israelites but they were also non Israelites also.
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