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BROTHER, BRETHREN

What is the Biblical Definition of Brother, Brethren?
The term "brother" is from the Greek adelphos. It technically signifies "from the same womb." The word is used in different senses in the New Testament. 
  • It is employed literally to identify siblings of the same parents (Acts 12:2). 
  • It can denote those of the same nation (Acts 2:29; 9:17; 22:5). Ananias' use of "brother" concerning Saul does not imply that the persecutor was already a Christian before having his sins "washed away" (Acts 22:16). 
  • The most common form in the New Testament has to do with those who have shared in a common new birth process (Jn. 3:3-5) and who are, therefore, kinsman in the Lord (see Phil. 1:14; 4:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Thes. 5:27; Philem. 16). It is not appropriate to refer to those as brethren who nominally profess an identification with Christianity, but who have not genuinely obeyed the gospel of Christ (2 Thes. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17).