Terms Used in Acts

There are several terms used in the book of Acts for different groups of people. For each the Strong’s definition is listed, as are all or most of the verses the terms appear in.

NT:1675, KJV - Grecian
Hellenistes (hel-lay-nis-tace'); from a derivative of NT:1672; a Hellenist or Greek-speaking Jew:

From Acts 2, more likely a Jew living in Gentile lands.

Acts 6:1
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.
KJV

Acts 9:29
29 And he (Paul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
KJV

Acts 11:20
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.
KJV



NT:1672, KJV - Gentile, Greek.
Hellen (hel'-lane); from NT:1671; a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew:

Usually used to refer to Godfearers or devout persons, not pagans.

John 7:35
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?
KJV

The only place this word is translated “Gentiles” rather than “Greeks.” Probably these people weren’t pagans; see below.

John 12:20
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
KJV

Pagans wouldn’t be doing this.

Acts 14:1
14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
KJV

Acts 16:1
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
KJV

Acts 17:4
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
KJV

Acts 18:4
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
KJV

Acts 19:10
10 And 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.
KJV

(There are a few other references in Romans and Corinthians not listed here.)



NT:1674, KJV - Greek.
Hellenis (hel-lay-nis'); feminine of NT:1672; a Grecian (i.e. non-Jewish) woman:

Acts 17:12
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
KJV



NT:1484, KJV - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
ethnos (eth'-nos); probably from NT:1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication, pagan):

Not always, though; Cornelius, a Godfearer, is referred to as Gentile.

Acts 13:46
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.
KJV

Acts 15:17
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (James quoting Amos.)
KJV

Acts 28:28
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
KJV

(There are lots more NT references not shown.)



NT:1445, KJV - Hebrew.
Hebraios (heb-rah'-yos); from NT:1443; a Hebraean (i.e. Hebrew) or Jew:

Acts 6:1
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.
KJV

Context here would be non-Grecian Jews, that is, natives.

2 Cor 11:22
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
KJV

Phil 3:5
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
KJV


Godfearers (or God-fearers, or God Fearers)
This is a modern term, not used in the Bible in this form. It refers to non-Jews who accepted the God of Israel as the true God, forsook paganism and its idolatry, kept certain laws that were generally referred to as the Noachide laws. They stopped short of becoming true Jewish proselytes, though. Godfearers were welcome at synagogue.

They are most likely the very same people referred to as “Greeks” later on in Acts and in John.

Acts 10:2
2 A devout man (Cornelius), and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
KJV

Acts 10:22
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
KJV

Acts 13:16
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
KJV

Acts 13:26
26 Men and brethren (Paul is still speaking here), children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
KJV





(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)