The book of Acts introduces us to the Hellenists, a group that played a pivotal role in the growth of the early church. Their presence reveals both the diversity and the challenges the first believers faced as Jews and Gentiles alike came to Christ.
Who Were the Hellenists?
The term Hellenists (Greek: Hellenistai) refers to Jews who had adopted Greek language and culture. After Alexander the Great’s conquests, Greek influence spread across the ancient world, and many Jews who lived outside Judea in the Diaspora became heavily influenced by Greek customs, philosophy, and ways of life.
Unlike the “Hebrews” (Aramaic-speaking Jews who clung more tightly to Jewish traditions), the Hellenists were often seen as outsiders or second-class by their more traditional Jewish brethren. They spoke primarily Greek, read the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), and were culturally distinct from the Palestinian Jews.
The Hellenists in Scripture
The word Hellenist appears explicitly three times in the book of Acts, and each reference provides insight into their role in the unfolding story of the early church.
Acts 6:1
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.”
Here, Hellenistic believers raised a complaint about their widows being overlooked in the daily food distribution. This led to the appointment of deacons (including Stephen and Philip), showing how God used a cultural conflict to strengthen church leadership.
Acts 9:29
“And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.”
After Saul’s conversion, he preached Christ to Hellenistic Jews in Jerusalem. These Hellenists were not believers but Jews who opposed the Gospel, highlighting the tension between Jewish traditions and the message of Jesus.
Acts 11:20
“But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.”
In Antioch, evangelists specifically targeted Hellenists with the Gospel. Many came to Christ, and Antioch became one of the most important missionary centers in the early church. This verse shows the Gospel breaking cultural barriers and spreading beyond Palestine.
Stephen and Philip: Hellenist Leaders
Two of the seven chosen in Acts 6 were Stephen and Philip, both Hellenistic Jews. Stephen became the first Christian martyr, boldly preaching Christ before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7). Philip became the first missionary evangelist, bringing the Gospel to Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8).
This shows that God not only included the Hellenists but also raised them up as leaders in the spread of the Gospel.
The Historical Influence of Hellenistic Jews
The impact of Hellenistic Jews extended far beyond the book of Acts. Their culture and worldview helped pave the way for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world.
- The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament): Because Hellenistic Jews read Scripture in Greek, the Septuagint became the Bible of the early church. Nearly all Old Testament quotations in the New Testament come from the Septuagint, showing its central role in shaping Christian theology.
- Bridging Jewish and Gentile Worlds: Hellenistic Jews were uniquely positioned to communicate the Gospel to Gentiles. They were Jewish by heritage but Greek in culture, language, and thought. This made them natural bridges between Jewish Christians and the wider Greco-Roman world.
- Paul’s Ministry: Saul of Tarsus (the apostle Paul) himself came from a Hellenistic background. Though a strict Pharisee, he was also a Roman citizen fluent in Greek culture and thought. His training and background enabled him to debate philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:16–34) and communicate the Gospel across cultural lines.
- Early Christian Writings: The fact that the New Testament was written in Greek (not Hebrew or Aramaic) reflects the profound influence of Hellenistic Jews. Their language became the vehicle through which God’s Word was carried to the nations.
God used the Hellenists to open doors, translate Scripture, and carry the Gospel into the heart of the Gentile world.
My Final Thoughts
The Hellenists remind us that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of background or culture. What could have divided the early church instead became an opportunity for growth, as God used Hellenist leaders to spread the message beyond Jerusalem. From the Septuagint to the Greek New Testament, from Stephen’s martyrdom to Paul’s missionary journeys, they prove that God weaves every culture into His plan of redemption. The same lesson applies today: in Christ, cultural and ethnic barriers must fall, for “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
