Paul's Audience(s) in the New Testament

When reading the New Testament, it is very easy to assume Paul's audiences are a homogenous body of "Christians."

Historically, however, the distinction of "Christian" did not exist yet, not as we know it today. The term "Christian" derived from the Hebrew word for Messiah, which means, the anointed one. The first generation of followers were almost, if not entirely Jews. With each ensuing generation though, we would begin to see more and more Gentiles join the communities. Eventually, the community would be comprised of a mix of people, that is to say; Jews and Gentiles, who participated together in the Jewish synagogues throughout the Roman empire, and beyond. Around the time of the second century, we'd begin to see a departure, and for various reasons, that would lead to the split we have been accustomed to between Christians and Jews.