Gentiles

GENTILI. - A designation which in the Latin New Testament (Vulgate: gentes, gentiles, Graeci) denotes all non-Jewish peoples, sharing in the customs and Greek culture (Ἔλληνας) of the Greco-Roman world. In opposition to the Israelite people (ὑπός Ἰσραήλ), the sole possessor of monotheism and of true worship, gentile is equivalent to “pagan,” idolater: Io, 7, 35; Act. 11, 20; 18, 17, etc. ethnic (v.).

The Jews regarded them as impure and sinful (Mt. 18, 17; Gal. 2, 15). Their idolatry was culpable, given the knowledge of God that men can derive from—

(photo Anderson)
GENTILESCHI, FAMIGLIA - S. Pietro Nolasco borne in the arms of angels, by Orazio G. - Roma, church of S. Agostino.

the universe; therefore the Lord had abandoned them to their depraved mind (Rom. 1, 18-32), judging them moreover according to the natural law engraved upon their hearts (Rom. 2, 12, 14 ff.). Gesù redeemed them, removing every distinction of race (Eph. 2, 14); Paolo devoted his prodigious apostolate to them (Act. 9, 15).