ELLHNISTAS

lance w seevers lws39 at juno.com
Sat Feb 10 23:10:53 EST 2001


My question pertains  to the usage in Acts 11:20. It is my understanding
that ELLHNISTAS means any one who observes Greek customs or uses the
Greek language.  It is used in Acts 6:1 and 9:29, referring to Jews. 
Of course there is a variation in Acts 11:20. Is this, perhaps, because
ELLHNISTAS was understood to refer to Jews?
Does this word have a broad definition, one that includes both native and
non-native speakers of Greek? Could it refer to any ethnic group overcome
by Greek culture? Did the native inhabitants of Antioch come under Greek
influence  and adopt the Greek language to a limited degree?
 BAGD says it is a Greek speaking Jew. Liddell gives the broad definition
but says that in the N. T. it is used to refer to Greek speaking Jews.
Thanks for your assistance.
Walt Seevers



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