Gentile, << JEHN tyl, >> in ancient times, referred to the people of all nations other than the Jews. Throughout the Bible, the term gentile designates any non-Jew. Today, the word is sometimes used to mean Christian. In the historical sense, however, this is not a correct use. The earliest Christians were Jews, and not until Saint Paul began his zealous missionary work did gentiles begin to come into the Christian church in large numbers. Both Mormons and Muslims consider all persons not of their faith to be gentiles.
