Why was the word 'Gentile' considered anathema to Jews?
To the Jewish mind, the word 'Gentile' was anathema—utterly repugnant and offensive. Merely saying it could incite a riot. The Lord's plan to send the chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles was shocking and unheard of, confirming how deeply the term was reviled.
Les explains that in the Acts passage, Ananias had pictured himself in a dungeon under the streets of Jerusalem because the man had authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on the Lord's name. The Lord told him to go, calling the man a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles—a shocking idea, since the word 'Gentile' was anathema to a Jew and merely saying it could cause a riot. Les then turns to Romans 11:13 to show this truth, noting most people don't know it is in their Bibles.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: