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'Brother' in scripture
Kat:
There has been some discussion in another thread concerning the word 'brother' in scripture.
I started with the outline from ISBE, and added verses to it, to show the many uses of the term ‘brother’ in scripture.
This does not mention every single time the word is used of course (the KJV had 354 in OT and NT), but does give a good sense of the different uses of it.
Strong's (OT) brother H251
אח 'âch awkh
A primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like H1)): - another, brother (-ly), kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with “Ah-” or “Ahi-”.
Strong's (NT) brother G80
ἀδελφός adelphos ad-el-fos'
From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]): - brother.
Brother
bruth´ẽr (אח, 'āḥ; ἀδελφός, adelphós = kin by birth, from the same parents or parent):
Chiefly employed in the natural sense, (Matt 1:2; Luke 3:1; Luke 3:19); as of Cain and Abel (Gen 4:08); of Joseph and his brethren (Gen 42:3); of Peter and Andrew, of James and John (Matt. 10:2).
Used extensively in both OT and NT of other relations and relationships:
(1) Abram's nephew, Lot, is termed “brother” (Gen 13:08).
(2) Moses' fellow-countrymen are “brethren” (Exo 2:11; Acts 3:22; compare Heb 7:5).
(3) a member of the same tribe (2Sam 19:12).
(4) a brother/man, any member of the human family (Heb 2:17; Heb 08:11; 1John 2:9; 1John 4:20).
(5) of moral likeness or kinship (Pro 18:9).
Used to imply those of the same faith and beliefs:
(6) used of common discipleship and followers (Matt 23:08; Matt 25:40; Acts 1:14; Acts 11:29; Heb 2:11,12).
(7) one of the same faith (Mat 7: 3-5; Mat 12:50; Acts 9:17; Acts 11:29; Acts 21:20; Rom 16:23; 1Cor 5:11; 1Cor 7:12; 2Cor 2:13; 1Peter 1:22); Paul called Timothy his spiritual son and associate (2Cor 1:1) and Sosthenes “brother” (1Cor 1:1);
(08) a term adopted by the early disciples to express their fraternal love for each other in Christ, and universally adopted as the language of love and brotherhood in His kingdom in all subsequent time (2Pe 3:15; Col 4:7, Col 4:9, Col 4:15).
From what I can see the word is used in a spiritual sense, to mean brothers in Christ in the above numbers 6,7 and 08.
Any discussion on this is welcome :)
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
mari_et_pere:
Okay so if I were to call .........Darren for example, brother, I would be correct because we share the same basic beliefs.
But I could also call him brother because we're of the same country.
I could also call him brother because we're both of the human race.
So basically everyone is my brother. That's cool with me. I've been known to call everyone brother from time to time anyway. :)
Kat, it's awesome that you take the time to look stuff up and do research for people. Of course it adds to your own personal knowledge also, but it helps others out to. You're a good brother. ;D :D :P
Matt
YellowStone:
Hey Matt, I mean Bro.... :)
Great post sister Kathy! I have a confession to make. During my past life as a church attendee, all these people greeting each other as brother or sister, used to make my skin crawl.
However, now that God has brought me to y'all, I have no problem with the usage, and as many of you can see. I use the terms often.
Although Kat, I would say I use it as reference to the likeness of faith and beliefs and I will not use it on people whom I have not established a repoire ?? with.
Great post :)
Love to you both from your brother in Christ,
Darren
Kat:
Hi Matt,
Though the word brother can be apply to everybody in one way are another. When the apostles use the word 'brother' it invariably means a fellow believer. In just a few verse 'brother' is referring to as humanity.
So I think that it is significant that when when the scripture say 'brother'(in the NT), it is applied to the believers and not the world.
Do we consider the church our 'brothers'? I don't think so. We can see where Paul said to not associate with someone even if they are among the believers, and shows by actions not to be of like mind. The church is certainly not of like mind.
1Co 5:9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
v. 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
v. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
Darren, I too only use the term brother and sister with someone whom I feel a spiritual connection. And I do find that through this forum :)
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
rocky:
So where do you draw the line between a believer in the resurrection of Christ who is in the "church" but is actually a child of satan,
and a carnal Christian who is a believer in the resurrection and is a "brother in Christ"?
As i showed on the other thread, there were contentions, strife, followers of Paul, Apollos, etc, in I Corinthians 1-3 who were carnal Christians (not like minded) that Paul addressed as "brothers".
And why didn't Paul run from these I Corinthian people, avoid them, leave them be, per his advice;
but rather pursued them in love, encouraging them??
What's the cut off point for a "fake" believer and a "real believer"?
For me, it's not a belief in free will, a belief in hell, a belief in the "10 second" sinners prayer etc (as these are carnal Christian beliefs), but a denial of Jesus come in the flesh, (meaning Christ was not the messiah, and his resurrection is bull; it's the relying on self works rather than faith). It's a denial of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
I ask this sincerely, as I am troubled by the blanket "everyone in the church" is a wolf, poison, babylon, and not our brother.
I know many people who are broken, beat down, and the law has tutored them to Christ, and trust in Christ for LIFE, yet have not had there eyes opened as far as ours. Are they no longer my brother??
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