The Scythians were a nomadic warrior people from the north, known for their ferocity, horsemanship, and distinct cultural practices. Though they were often viewed as barbarians by the Greco-Roman world, the Apostle Paul specifically mentioned them in Colossians 3:11, emphasizing that even they were included in Christ’s salvation:
“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)
This verse underscores the universal reach of the Gospel, breaking social and ethnic barriers. Understanding the history, geography, and culture of the Scythians helps us see why their inclusion in Paul’s teaching was so significant.
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Historical Background and Origins
The Scythians were Indo-Iranian nomads who thrived between the 9th century BC and the 3rd century AD. Their history includes:
- Origins in Central Asia (9th–7th century BC) – The Scythians emerged as steppe nomads, migrating westward into southern Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe.
- Expansion and Warfare (7th–4th century BC) – They became dominant across the Eurasian steppes, engaging in raids and wars against Persia, Greece, and other nations.
- Contact with Greeks and Romans (4th century BC–1st century AD) – Some Scythians settled near Greek colonies in the Black Sea region, influencing trade and culture.
- Decline and Assimilation (1st–3rd century AD) – By the New Testament era, many Scythians had assimilated into other nomadic groups, Sarmatians, and later Slavic tribes.
By Paul’s time, the Scythians were still known as wild, uncivilized warriors, making their inclusion in Christian teaching a powerful symbol of unity in Christ.
Geography and Political Influence
The Scythians dominated the Eurasian steppes, stretching from:
- The Black Sea and Ukraine – Areas where Scythians interacted with Greek colonies.
- The Caucasus and Caspian Sea – Border regions between Europe and Asia.
- Central Asia and Siberia – Homelands of the earliest Scythian tribes.
They had no fixed cities or centralized government, instead living in migratory clans led by warrior chiefs, which made them both feared and misunderstood by settled civilizations.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
The Scythians followed a mix of animism, ancestor worship, and polytheism, including:
- Sky and War Gods – They worshiped Tabiti (fire goddess), Papaios (sky god), and Ares (war god), offering animal and human sacrifices.
- Shamanism and Spirit Worship – Many Scythians practiced ritualistic divination and shamanic ceremonies, using hallucinogens and animal sacrifices.
- Burial Mounds (Kurgans) – Scythian chiefs were buried in elaborate tombs, sometimes with horses, weapons, and even sacrificed servants.
Their violent and mystical culture made them the ultimate “barbarians” in Greek and Roman eyes, yet the Gospel would break even these cultural boundaries.
The Scythians in the Bible
The Scythians are mentioned explicitly in the New Testament only in Colossians 3:11, but their cultural context makes their inclusion remarkable:
1. The Scythians as the Ultimate “Barbarians” (Colossians 3:11)
- Paul lists Scythians alongside barbarians, slaves, and free men, emphasizing that Christ unites all people, regardless of status or background.
- To the Greeks and Romans, Scythians represented the lowest form of humanity—uncultured, violent, and uncivilized.
- Yet in Christ, they were equal with Jews, Greeks, and Romans, proving the Gospel’s power to transform even the most feared people.
2. Possible Early Christian Influence on Scythians
- Some Scythians settled near Greek cities, where Christian teachings could have spread.
- The early Church’s rapid expansion into Gentile lands suggests that some Scythians may have encountered Christianity.
Though their direct role in Christian history is unclear, Paul’s mention of them shows that the Gospel was not limited to civilized peoples.
Interactions with Jesus and His Disciples
While Jesus never directly interacted with Scythians, His teachings foreshadowed their inclusion in the Gospel:
1. Jesus’ Ministry to the Outcasts (Luke 5:30-32, Matthew 8:5-13)
- Jesus ministered to tax collectors, Gentiles, and sinners, proving that salvation was for all people.
- If He welcomed Roman soldiers and Samaritans, then even Scythians were not beyond His grace.
2. Paul’s Teaching on Unity in Christ (Colossians 3:11, Galatians 3:28)
- Paul declared that in Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no Scythian or barbarian.
- This statement erased cultural divisions, showing that even feared warriors could become part of God’s family.
These teachings prove that Christianity was always meant to reach beyond the borders of Rome and Israel.
Significance in Church History and Prophecy
Though there is no clear record of large-scale Scythian conversions, their mention in Colossians 3:11 symbolizes:
- The Gospel Breaking Cultural Barriers – If even Scythians could be saved, no one was beyond God’s reach.
- Foreshadowing the Spread of Christianity – Christianity would later reach Germanic tribes, Mongols, and other nomadic peoples, just as it had reached Greeks and Romans.
- The Fulfillment of Christ’s Global Mission – Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), including barbarians like the Scythians.
Their inclusion in Paul’s letter highlights the universal nature of Christ’s kingdom.
Spiritual Lessons and Application
- No one is beyond God’s grace – The Scythians were seen as barbarians, yet Paul declares that they too could be part of Christ’s family (Colossians 3:11).
- Christ breaks down all social and cultural barriers – Paul’s statement shows that Christian unity is stronger than racial or national divisions (Galatians 3:28).
- The Gospel is for all nations, not just the civilized world – The message of Christ is not just for Rome, Greece, or Israel but for all people, even those considered outcasts (Matthew 28:19-20).
- True identity is found in Christ, not in culture – Whether Jew, Greek, Scythian, or Roman, all are equal in Christ, proving that spiritual identity surpasses earthly labels.
Conclusion: God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
The Scythians, once feared as barbarians and ruthless warriors, were included in Paul’s vision of Christian unity. Their mention in Colossians 3:11 stands as a powerful testament to the Gospel’s ability to transform all people, regardless of background.
As Paul wrote:
“Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
The Scythians’ inclusion in Scripture reminds us that no one is too far removed from God’s grace, proving that Christ’s kingdom extends to every tribe, tongue, and nation.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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