The term “Barbarians” in the New Testament referred to non-Greek-speaking peoples who were often considered uncultured, uneducated, or outside the bounds of Greco-Roman civilization. The Romans and Greeks viewed these groups as foreigners, outsiders, or primitive people, though the label was often subjective and covered a wide range of ethnic groups.
Despite their marginalized status, the Gospel included the barbarians, breaking cultural barriers. The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:11, emphasized that even barbarians and Scythians were part of Christ’s redemptive plan:
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
Understanding who the barbarians were, how they were viewed by the Romans, and how they fit into biblical history helps us see the power of Christ’s universal salvation.
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Historical Background and Origins
The word “barbarian” (Greek: βάρβαρος, bárbaros) originally meant “foreigner” and was used by the Greeks to describe anyone who did not speak Greek fluently. Over time, the term evolved to mean uncivilized, uneducated, or culturally inferior peoples.
Historically, barbarians included many different groups, such as:
- Celts and Gauls – Inhabiting Western Europe (modern France, Britain, and Spain).
- Germanic Tribes – Including the Goths, Vandals, and Franks, who later overran the Roman Empire.
- Scythians and Nomadic Tribes – Fierce horsemen from the Eurasian steppes.
- Berbers and North Africans – Indigenous tribes living outside Greco-Roman influence.
- Persians and Eastern Peoples – Sometimes considered “barbarians” by Greeks despite having advanced civilizations.
By the New Testament period, the Romans adopted and expanded the term, applying it to non-Roman, non-Greek-speaking peoples, regardless of their actual level of civilization.
Geography and Political Influence
Barbarians lived beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, in regions such as:
- Northern and Western Europe – Including Germania, Gaul, and Britannia.
- The Eurasian Steppes – Home to Scythians and other nomadic tribes.
- North Africa – Inhabited by Berber groups outside Roman control.
- Asia Minor and the Middle East – Some groups in Persia and Arabia were considered “barbarian” by Greeks and Romans.
Despite being outside Roman civilization, many barbarians had their own advanced cultures, trade networks, and military forces, challenging the stereotype of being primitive.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
Since “barbarians” were not a single ethnic group, they followed various religious traditions, including:
- Animism and Nature Worship – Many barbarian tribes worshiped the sun, moon, animals, and ancestors.
- Pagan Polytheism – Worship of gods of war, fertility, and nature, often including sacrificial rituals.
- Mysticism and Shamanism – Many barbarian cultures had spiritual leaders or priests who performed rites, healings, and divination.
- Resistance to Greco-Roman Religious Influence – Many barbarians rejected Greek and Roman gods, maintaining their traditional beliefs.
Though they were outside the Jewish and Greco-Roman religious world, the New Testament shows that the Gospel reached them.
The Barbarians in the Bible
Barbarians are mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in Paul’s writings:
1. Paul’s Inclusion of Barbarians in the Gospel (Colossians 3:11)
- Paul states that in Christ, social and ethnic distinctions do not matter:“There is no Gentile or Jew, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
- This is significant because Greeks and Romans looked down on barbarians, yet Paul declares them equal in Christ.
2. Paul’s Obligation to Preach to the Barbarians (Romans 1:14)
- Paul describes his mission:“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.” (Romans 1:14, NIV)
- The phrase “non-Greeks” (sometimes translated “barbarians”) shows that Paul saw no cultural or linguistic barrier in the Gospel.
3. Paul’s Shipwreck Among Barbarian Islanders (Acts 28:1-10)
- After being shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul and his companions encountered “barbarians” (Acts 28:2, KJV) who treated them kindly:“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” (Acts 28:2, NIV)
- These “barbarians” were likely Phoenician-speaking people unfamiliar with Greek or Latin, proving that barbarians were not always hostile.
- Paul later healed the sick on the island, leading many to honor and provide for them before they left (Acts 28:9-10).
These passages show that, although the Romans saw barbarians as outsiders, the Bible presents them as recipients of God’s grace.
Interactions with Jesus and His Disciples
Though Jesus never directly encountered barbarian groups, His teachings and mission included them:
1. Jesus’ Command to Make Disciples of All Nations (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Jesus commanded His disciples to go to all nations, including those considered “barbarian.”
- This foreshadowed the inclusion of barbarians in Paul’s ministry.
2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
- Though not a barbarian, the Samaritan was an outsider to Jewish society.
- This parable emphasized God’s love for all people, including those considered socially or culturally inferior.
These events laid the groundwork for the Gospel reaching even the most marginalized groups.
Significance in Church History and Prophecy
As Christianity spread, barbarian tribes played a crucial role in history:
- Early Christian Converts – Some barbarian tribes later embraced Christianity and helped spread it.
- The Christianization of Europe – Many Germanic and Celtic tribes converted to Christianity in the 3rd–7th centuries AD.
- The Fall of Rome and Rise of Christian Kingdoms – After the Western Roman Empire fell, many former barbarian tribes formed Christian nations, shaping medieval Europe.
Paul’s teachings in Colossians 3:11 and Romans 1:14 foreshadowed this future Christian expansion among the barbarians.
Spiritual Lessons and Application
- The Gospel transcends cultural and social barriers – Paul’s statement in Colossians 3:11 proves that all people, even barbarians, are equal in Christ.
- No one is beyond God’s grace – Just as Romans looked down on barbarians, society often dismisses certain people today, yet God’s love extends to all (Romans 1:14).
- Christian kindness opens doors for the Gospel – The barbarians of Malta (Acts 28:2) showed hospitality, and Paul’s response led to miracles and an opportunity to share Christ.
- God’s plan includes all nations – Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) ensures that no group is left out of the Gospel message.
Conclusion: God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
The barbarians, once viewed as uncivilized outsiders, were included in Christ’s redemption. Paul’s teaching in Colossians 3:11 proved that in the Church, cultural and linguistic differences are erased by the unity found in Christ.
As Paul wrote:
“Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
The barbarians’ inclusion in Scripture foreshadows the future expansion of Christianity, proving that the Gospel is for every tribe, tongue, and nation.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
