Men of Israel and You Who Fear God

 
Paul was a self described "apostle to the Gentiles."  One might think that Paul's mission was primarily to pagans.  Was that what Paul meant by the word Gentiles?  Were the Gentiles that Paul preached to pagans?  What can we learn from the book of Acts about the Gentiles?  What do Paul's methods tell us about the Gentiles he was preaching to?   The story of the inclusion of the Gentiles among the followers of Jesus is the subject of this study.

Rom 11:13 NKJV – For I [Paul] speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh [Rom 9:3,4 – my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites] and save some of them.

Gal 2:7 NKJV – But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me [Paul], as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

1 Tim 2:5 NKJV – For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I [Paul] was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

The story of Paul's conversion in Acts 9 describes the reaction of Ananias to his vision about Paul.  Notice that Paul was to a "chosen vessel" before Gentiles "and the children of Israel."  This is key—we will see that Paul always worked with the Gentiles within the context of the people of Israel.

Acts 9:13 NKJV – Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Acts chapter 10 is the story of Cornelius and the beginnings of the apostles' work with the Gentiles.  This account in Acts gives us some important insights about the Gentiles that were joining the followers of Jesus. Verse two describes Cornelius prior to his encounter with the Peter.  The Greek word used to describe him is eusebes (ευσεβης – G2152 – pious).  He was also said to phobeo (φοβεω – G5399 – fear) God.  Cornelius and the Gentiles with him were not pagans.

Act 10:1 RSV – At Caesare'a there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God (ευσεβης και φοβουμενος τον Θεον – eusebes kai phoboumenos ton Theon) with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God.

Acts 10:7 NIV – When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier (στρατιωτην ευσεβη – stratioten eusebe) who was one of his attendants.

Act 10:22 RSV – And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say."

Act 10:45 RSV – And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

We also learn in this story a little about the attitudes of the people of Israel towards the devout, God-fearing Gentiles.  On the one hand, Cornelius was "well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation," yet, as we will see, they would "not associate with or visit" him.  In chapter 11 we read about the reaction of the believers in Jerusalem and Peter's response to them.  Until this point, the followers of Jesus were all from the people of Israel.

Acts 10:28 ESV – And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Act 11:2 ESV - So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 ESV - "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order:

Act 11:12 ESV - "And the Spirit told me [Peter] to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life." 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Let's look at Paul, now, to see his approach to ministry.  Where did he find the Gentiles that he was leading to Jesus?  Notice in Acts 13:16 that Paul addresses two categories of people— "men of Israel" and "you who fear God."  Cornelius, whom we read about in chapter 10, was a "God fearer" (Acts 10:2).  These Godfearers are devout non-Jews attending the synagogue and have some connection with the Jewish community but not taking the step to becoming proselytes— converts to Judaism.

Act 9:18 NIV – Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Act 13:4 NIV – The two of them [Barnabas and Saul], sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

Act 13:13 ESV - Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel and you who fear God (οι φοβουμενοι τον Θεον – oi phoboumenoi ton Theon – G5399), listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers ....

Act 13:26 ESV – [Paul continues] Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God (οι εν υμιν φοβουμενοι τον Θεον – oi en ymin phoboumenoi ton Theon – G5399), to us has been sent the message of this salvation.

Act 13:42 ESV – [Following Pauls sermon above] As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath [presumably in the synagogue]. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath [presumably in the synagogue] almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 And when the Gentiles [Godfearers] heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

In Acts chapter 13, Paul preaches to "men of Israel" and Godfearers in the synagogue on the Sabbath.  The Gentiles mentioned in verse 48 were not pagans; they were devout Godfearers who were already attending the synagogue every Sabbath.  The point, which I will develop in more detail later, is that the controversies that are the subject of Acts 15 were not about synagogue attendence on the Sabbath or, presumably, other times when the community gathered— if the Godfearing Gentiles had objected to synagogue attendence they would not have been there to hear Paul.  They were already limited participants in the life of the Jewish community.

We see in the beginning of Acts 14 we see Paul using the same methods; he went "into the Jewish synagogue" and found there a mixed group of Jews and "Greeks."  As we saw in chapter 13, the Gentiles that Paul preached to were already connected with the Jewish community— Paul met them in the synagogue.  In chapter 16 we see a similar pattern; it appears that the community was too small for a synagogue, but among the women at the "place of prayer" was Lydia, "a worshiper of God," who was baptized along with her household.  As in the previous examples of Gentile converts that we read about, Lydia was not a pagan and Paul encountered her in a setting appropriate for a small Jewish community.  Lydia was already participating in the life of the Jewish community before she met Paul.

Act 14:1 ESV – Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 

Act 16:13 ESV – And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. 

Paul continues using his customary method.   In Acts 17, he came to Thessalonica and went to the "synagogue of the Jews" and "reasoned with them" for three Sabbaths.  It was there in the synagogue on the Sabbath that he "persuaded" "a large number of God-fearing Greeks" along with "some of them" which presumably means some Jews.  As in earlier examples, the new Gentile converts were not pagans and they were already connected to the synagogue and the activities of the Jewish community.

Act 17:1 NASB – Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks (σεβομενων Ελληνων – sebomenon Ellenon – G4576 – devout) and a number of the leading women.

The usual controversies happened at Thessalonica and Paul and Silas had to leave, going on to Berea.  Paul as was his "custom" "went into the synagogue of the Jews."  Many of the Jews in the synagogue believed their message along with some "Greek women and men."  The context suggests that these "Greek" people were Gentile Godfearers.  Whatever is meant, they were connected with the synagogue and it was there that they heard Paul.

Act 17:10 NASB - The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them [Jews in the synagogue] believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men [Godfearers].

When Paul arrived in Athens he again taught in the synagogue with Jews and "devout persons" who were not Jews that were also attending the syngagogue.  He was also teaching in the "market place" every day and spoke at the Areopagus (17:22).  We read in Acts 17:34 that "some" people joined and believed Paul.  It isn't clear from the text whether these people were Jews or "devout persons" from the synagogue or whether they were pagans from the market place or Areopagus.  Apparently Paul did not stay long in Athens (17:16, 18:1), so if the people mentioned in Acts 17:34 were pagans, they would have needed the synagogue and the Jewish community to learn more about God.

Act 17:16 RSV – Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there.

Act 17:34 RSV But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionys'ius the Are-op'agite and a woman named Dam'aris and others with them.

In Acts chapter 18, we read that Paul again follows his usual method in Corinth, teaching "in the synagogue every sabbath."  In addition to some Jews there were "Greeks" that Paul persuaded.  Titius Justus, "a worshiper of God" would have been among them.  The synagogue, the Jewish community and the Godfearers connected with it were the focus of Paul's work.  Because of controversy, Paul had to move to a site next door, but many believed, including the "ruler of the synagogue."  The new group was composed of people from the synagogue and was, effectively, a rival synagogue next door.

Act 18:1 RSV - After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. 4 And he argued in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.... 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Act 18:19 RSV - And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and argued with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined;

Paul continued working through the synagogue and the Jewish community in Ephesus.  Eventually he had to work apart from the synagogue where he started, but the separate group started with people from the synagogue and grew out of it.

Acts 19:8 NKJV – And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples [those from the synagogue who believed], reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Much later, when Paul later arrived in Rome, his first contacts were with the Jewish community.  As it was in every place where Paul worked, some in the Jewish community believed.  We read in Acts 28:30-31 that Paul lived in Rome for two years "preaching the kingdom of God" and receiving "all who came to him."  Acts does not tell us about the ethnic composition of the this group, but we see that it started with people from the Jewish community (28:24).

Acts 28:16 NKJV – Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” 21 Then they [the leaders of the Jews] said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we [Jews] desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many [from among the Jews] came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets [the Hebrew Scriptures], from morning till evening. 24 And some [from among the Jews] were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 

Acts 28:30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

As we have seen in this study, Paul's work among the Gentiles was always done through with the Jewish community.   The Gentiles that he preached to and converted were generally not pagans before meeting Paul.  They were already connected with the synagogue and the Jewish community.  It was at the synagogue where they first heard Paul preach:

Men of Israel, and you who fear God....

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• Men of Israel, and ye that fear God
• Ihr Männer von Israel und die ihr Gott fürchtet
• Hommes Israélites, et vous qui craignez Dieu
• I israelitiske Mænd og I, som frygte Gud
• Gij Israelietische mannen, en gij, die God vreest
• Israelin miehet, ja jotka Jumalaa pelkäätte
• ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλεῖται καὶ οἱ φοβούμενοι τὸν θεόν
• ανδρες ισραηλειται και οι φοβουμενοι τον θεον
• ‏אנשׁי ישׂראל ויראי האלהים
• Uomini israeliti, e voi che temete Iddio
• Hai orang Israel, dan kamu yang takut akan Allah
• Israelittiske menn og I som frykter Gud
• Varões israelitas, e os que temeis a Deus
• Bărbaţi Israeliţi şi voi cari vă temeţi de Dumnezeu
• мужи Израильтяне и боящиеся Бога
• Varones israelitas, y los que teméis a Dios
• I män av Israels hus och I som 'frukten Gud'
• Ey İsrailliler ve Tanrıdan korkan yabancılar, dinleyin
• Мужі Ізраїлські і богобоязливі
• ايها الرجال الاسرائيليون والذين يتقون الله