Yes they were.
You're every post begs to go there, but they lack conviction.
Not curios enough.....
This was my last point you shouldn't have left out verse 20.
Acts 11
19
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus,and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch,
spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Acts 15:23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in
Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Accuracy is what I'm all about.
Geography, yessir not a problem here.
Grecians referred to Helenized Jews.
This at times resulting in difficulties between Hebrew Jews and the Grecian ones, as in Acts 6 - way before when Luke writes the door of faith being opened to the Gentiles.
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Thus, the intended sense of the following, and why Barnabas went to seek Saul/Paul; who was an excellent cross cultural individual (being that though a Hebrew, but given his upbringing and education; he was well versed in Hebrew and Grecian; and in Greek; and Roman culture - thus, his use of the olive tree analogy in Romans 11 - it is a tree the oil of which very, very familiar to Jewish, Greek, and Italian culture to this very day).
Anyway, Acts 11 is referring to Helenized Jews...
Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus. 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
And Greeks often referred both to actual Greeks, and to anyone not a Jew; the result of a cultural predispostion the result of the Greek Empire's former dominance and resulting influence on both culture and language.
Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
Whereas with the rise of Roman Empire's own unique influence, anyone not a Roman was referred to as a Barbarian.
Sort of like how one generation of North American kids will refer to a thing in a word that former generations had referred to by some other word.
What did "drop a dime" refer to back when there were payphones and using them cost a dime?
What did that same phrase come to refer to later, within that subculture within that later generation when the use of the hallucinogen "acid" became popular.
Thus, the Apostle Paul's use of the phrase "the Greek" (referring to that part of his Acts ministry coming to an end as he was writing Romans, see Romans 15), followed by his use of the phrase "the Barbarian" (a reference to his desired ministry at Rome; Spain, and so on).
Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Again, here his use of the phrase "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" is in a historical sense: it refers to that part of that his ministry that is coming to an end as he is writing Romans...
Acts 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
And what I mean by "that part of his ministry coming to an end" is that part of his ministry wherein he was still being used of God towards both saving some individual Jews, at the same time he was being used of God to convey to Israel as a nation that they were now just another lost, UNcircumcision nation; that AS PROPHESIED, they had fallen from their position with God as His election agency (servanthood) and during this PROPHESIED Fall of theirs, God was calling out Gentiles for His name DIRECTLY - that is; thru Israel's Prophesied FALL, rather than through Israel's Prophesied RISE.
Anyway, note again, the historical sense of Paul's Romans 1:16 use of the phrase "to the Jew, and also to the Greek..."
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 15:22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 15:24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
Thus, the sense of what lied ahead for him...
Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Again, personally, I continue to find these puzzles and the various views on them an ever fascinating education in the study of perception; in the study of paradigms and how they result; and so on.