What did the Jews call the Gentiles?
The Jews called Gentiles “uncircumcised,” and often derogatorily “uncircumcised dogs.” In Ephesians 2:11, Paul addresses Gentile believers as those referred to as uncircumcised by the Jew, distinguishing them from the circumcision, that is, the Jews. So Paul refers to that distinction when writing to Gentile believers.
Les explains that Ephesians 2:11 is written by Paul to Gentile believers in Ephesus, a Gentile church. To qualify the term circumcision, Les identifies the circumcision as the Jews, and notes that Jews often called Gentiles “uncircumcised dogs.” Paul therefore refers to that when he addresses Gentiles as those “referred to as uncircumcised by the Jew.” At that time, while God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, including Christ’s earthly ministry, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
More Questions
What did the circumcised Jew call the Gentile in Paul's day?
When Paul says the Gentiles were 'called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hand,' he means that circumcised Jews usually called the Gentile an 'uncircumcised dog.'
Who did the Jews call the uncircumcision in Ephesians 2:11?
The Jews referred to the Gentiles as the 'uncircumcision,' while the Jews were the circumcision made in the flesh with hands.
Who are 'Gentiles in the flesh' in Ephesians 2:11?
In Ephesians 2:11, Paul tells former Gentiles that they were once 'Gentiles in the flesh,' meaning non-Jews who were not part of the Abrahamic family or covenant.