Ethnicity This word, ethnos, from what we get ethnic or ethnicity simply means a nation or nationality. It could refer to any people group around the world (or as far the N.T. is concerned, the inhabitable Roman Empire).
But most English translations (versions) translate this with the word, Gentile. However, in ancient Roman times, and modern times as well, this word is tinged with a bit of disparaging color. It reflects a demeaning attitude to those considered "outsiders" or looking down as "foreigners." It goes beyond "people of an ethnic culture," and tends to look down on a group as an "inferior race."
Charitable Spirit In the Spirit of the New Testament, which announces God's love for the whole world without discrimination, ought Bible translators move over to a tendency of up-grading their versions to reflect this Divine charity? Translate ethos with a more neutral word as "nation" or "people". (See for example, Matthew 28:19, Go make disciples of all nations..., and Acts 2:5, God-fearing Jews from every nation.) INSTEAD OF like Acts 15:17, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my Name, or Romans 1:5, We received grace and Apostleship to call people from among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith...
Should this New Testament Greek word be translated straight into the English language, instead of traversing through the Latin language and picking up evil connotations, eh?