Living Like a Gentile 1Thessalonians 4:5

What is a “Gentile”?

• “Gentile” is non-Jewish, cf. Acts 13:46; 15:19; 17:17; 18:6; 26:23; 28:28

εθνος [ethnos /eth·nos/] AV translates as “Gentiles” 93 times, “nation” 64 times, “heathen” five times, and “people” twice. 1 a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together. 1A a company, troop, swarm. 2 a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus. 2A the human race. 3 a race, nation, people group. 4 in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles. 5 Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians. (Strong’s Dict.)

What is a “Gentile”?

• In physical terms, everyone not descended from Abraham is a “Gentile”.• In spiritual terms, “Gentile” often refers to those not

of God’s family, cf. Matt.5:47; 6:7,32; 18:17.• But it is also used of Gentile converts to Christ- those

who are non-Jewish Christians,Rom.15:12,18,27; 16:4.• So context must be used to determine whether the

term is being used to refer to the physical (non-Jewish) or spiritual (non-Christian) application.

Now, what characterizes “Gentile” living?

• Immorality, 1Cor.5:1• Futility, Eph.4:17• Driven by Lustful Passions, 1Thess.4:5• Pursuant to Sensuality, Lusts, Drunkenness, Carousing, Drinking Parties, and Abominable Idolatries, 1Pet.4:3

Obviously, one whose life is so characterized has bigger problems than not being born of the

physical family of Abraham!

Our challenge is that of being a Gentile Christian without living

like a Gentile!• We are to be spiritual Jews despite being physical Gentiles, Rom.2:28-29; 9:6-7; Gal.6:13-16• Therefore, we are to live exemplary lives among the heathen that they might be caused to glorify God, 1Pet.2:12 > Rom.2:24!

Most likely, you are a Gentile physically.What are you spiritually? Eph.2:11-22