What was Barbarian?
In the Bible, the term Barbarian does not refer to a specific person but to a group of people or a cultural classification. The word “Barbarian” appears in Colossians 3:11, where the apostle Paul declares the radical equality of all believers in Christ:
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
The Greek word used is βαρβαρος (barbaros), which originally referred to anyone who did not speak Greek. The term was somewhat onomatopoetic, mimicking the unintelligible sounds that Greeks believed non-Greek languages made—like “bar-bar.” Over time, it came to carry a negative connotation, implying uncivilized, crude, or foreign.
In the biblical context, particularly in Colossians 3:11, the term does not primarily refer to savagery or cruelty as in modern usage, but to someone outside the Hellenistic cultural and linguistic world. Paul uses the term not to degrade, but to underscore the gospel’s inclusive power: in Christ, such distinctions no longer matter.
Biblical References and Cross-References
- Colossians 3:11 – The key mention, where Paul declares that distinctions such as “barbarian” or “Scythian” are abolished in Christ.
- Romans 1:14 – Paul writes, “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks (literally barbarians), both to the wise and the foolish,” revealing his missionary commitment to all people, including those considered outside the cultured Greco-Roman world.
- Acts 28:2,4 – Luke refers to the “barbarous people” (barbaroi) of Malta who showed kindness to Paul after his shipwreck. They were not cruel but hospitable and curious.
Explanation of the Term in Biblical Usage
In Paul‘s day, the Greek-speaking world viewed those who did not share their language and culture as barbarians. These people were often seen as inferior, lacking in education, philosophy, and refinement. However, Paul confronts and deconstructs this mindset by boldly including barbarians within the scope of Christ’s saving work.
By stating that in Christ there is “neither Greek nor Jew… barbarian, Scythian,” Paul is not erasing individual identity or ethnicity, but removing the spiritual and communal divisions that typically separated people. The gospel brings all people—regardless of education, culture, or ethnicity—into one unified body under Christ.
This teaching was revolutionary, especially in a Roman world that operated with rigid social and ethnic hierarchies.
What It Means for Today’s Christians
For modern believers, the mention of “barbarian” in Scripture serves as a powerful reminder that the gospel transcends cultural boundaries. It challenges Christians to see all people as equally valuable in God’s eyes, regardless of race, language, nationality, or societal status.
In a world that often marginalizes or stereotypes those who are “different,” Paul’s teaching calls Christians to a countercultural unity rooted in Christ. Just as Paul sought to bring the gospel to Greeks and barbarians alike, so must Christians today be intentional about reaching across divides with the love of Jesus.
How the Term Points to Jesus and the Gospel
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for sinners of every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9). Jesus did not come only for the Jews, nor only for the Greeks, but for the whole world (John 3:16). He welcomed the outsider, the stranger, and the culturally marginalized.
The inclusion of the word “barbarian” in Colossians 3:11 serves as a theological declaration that Christ’s redemptive work knows no cultural or ethnic boundaries. All are invited to partake in salvation. Jesus, the Son of God, stepped into a broken and divided world to reconcile us both to God and to one another (Ephesians 2:14-16).
In Christ, the barbarian becomes a brother. The outsider is brought into the family. The forgotten is remembered. This is the beauty and power of the gospel.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. Unity in Christ
Paul’s declaration that distinctions like “barbarian” no longer apply in Christ emphasizes the oneness of the body of believers (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:4-6).
2. The Universality of the Gospel
The gospel is for everyone, not a select ethnic or cultural group. Jesus is Lord of all (Romans 10:12-13).
3. Breaking Down Walls of Hostility
The gospel breaks down walls that separate people—social, cultural, and linguistic (Ephesians 2:13-19).
4. Human Dignity in the Image of God
Every human, including the so-called “barbarian,” is made in God’s image and is worthy of respect and dignity (Genesis 1:27).
Reflection Questions
- Do I harbor any cultural or ethnic biases that the gospel calls me to surrender?
- How can I actively seek to include those who feel marginalized or “outside” in my church community?
- What does Colossians 3:11 teach me about the radical nature of the gospel’s inclusiveness?
- In what ways can I reflect Christ’s love toward those different from me in background or culture?
- How does the gospel break down modern barriers like racism, nationalism, and classism?
The term Barbarian, though simple and rare in the New Testament, carries profound implications for understanding the unity of the Church and the boundless scope of God’s redemptive plan through Christ. In the body of Christ, there are no outsiders—only redeemed people from every background, reconciled and loved by the same Savior.