Lexical Summary ethnikós: like the Gentiles Original Word: ἐθνικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance after the manner of Gentiles. Adverb from ethnikos; as a Gentile -- after the manner of Gentiles. see GREEK ethnikos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1483 ethnikṓs(from 1482 /ethnikós, "a Gentile," a non-Israelite) – to live as a non-Israelite, i.e. as a Gentile; someone who fails short of being a full member of the Jewish nation because unwilling to live under the ceremonial rules of Judaism. See 1484 (ethnos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from ethnikos Definition as a Gentile NASB Translation like the Gentiles (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1483: ἐθνικῶςἐθνικῶς, adverb (see ἐθνικός), like the Gentiles: Galatians 2:14 (Winers Grammar, 463 (431). Apollonius Dyscolus, p. 190, 5; (Diogenes Laërtius 7, 56). Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Cultural BackgroundThe adverb ἐθνικῶς frames behavior “in a Gentile manner”—that is, according to non-Jewish customs and social practices. In the first-century Mediterranean world this included diet, table fellowship, and the absence of ceremonial markers such as circumcision and dietary laws that distinguished Israel from the nations (Leviticus 11; Acts 10). Biblical Context: Galatians 2:11-14 Paul recounts a public confrontation in Antioch: “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:14). Peter had freely eaten with uncircumcised believers, embodying the inclusiveness revealed to him in the vision of Acts 10. When emissaries from James arrived, he withdrew, fearing censure from the circumcision party. Paul’s rebuke exposes the inconsistency: Peter was already “living ethnically”—ἐθνικῶς—yet his retreat implied that Gentiles must adopt Jewish distinctives to enjoy full fellowship. Theological Significance 1. Unity of the Gospel ἐθνικῶς highlights that gospel grace transcends ethnicity. Salvation is by faith alone (Galatians 2:16) and creates “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15). Any practice implying first- and second-class believers contradicts the finished work of Christ. 2. Integrity of Christian Witness The adverb presses for harmony between belief and conduct. Peter’s conduct, albeit temporary, risked “nullifying the grace of God” (Galatians 2:21) by suggesting ritual observance as a prerequisite for fellowship. 3. Freedom from the Law’s Ceremonial Distinctions The single occurrence underscores the transition from shadow to substance. Dietary and purity laws once served to guard Israel (Galatians 3:23), but with Christ’s arrival believers may now “eat anything that is sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience” (1 Corinthians 10:25). Historical Insight: Early Church Jew–Gentile Integration Antioch, a cosmopolitan hub, became the proving ground for practical unity. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) followed shortly, formalizing the principle that Gentile believers were not bound by Mosaic ritual. Paul’s retelling in Galatians functions apologetically—demonstrating continuity between his gospel and that affirmed in Jerusalem—while faithfully preserving the moment when even an apostle stumbled, underscoring sola gratia. Ministry Applications • Guard Gospel Consistency: Leaders must ensure that cultural preferences never eclipse gospel essentials (Romans 14:17). Related Passages Acts 10:34-35; 15:7-11 Romans 3:29-30; 14:1-4 Forms and Transliterations εθνικως εθνικώς ἐθνικῶς ethnikos ethnikôs ethnikōs ethnikō̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |