A person not in the Jewish faith, nor descended from Jewish ancestors. Basically, anyone not Jewish.
Initially, Jesus preached to the Jews residing in Roman-occupied Israel. However, he later included Gentiles among those who were to hear his message and be saved. The Apostle Paul is considered the Apostle for Gentiles.
In some instances, Gentile is used in place of ethnikoi, or Pagan--Gentiles were considered pagans (non-Jews) in Jesus' time. (Matthew 6:7)
The first named Gentile in the New Testament is the Roman Centurion and resident of Caesara, Cornelius (Acts 10)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
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