Thread: A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
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A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 25 Apr, 2015 07:56 PM
Part One: A Quick look at "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek:
by Michael D. Marlowe, 2004
He answered and said ... Who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold ... (Matthew 12:48-49)
One day when Jesus was teaching a group of disciples in a house in Capernaum, he was told that his brothers were waiting to talk to him outside, but he answered that he was already with his brothers, for "whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother." As in everything that Jesus said, his point was simple but profound. Physical brotherhood is not as important as spiritual brotherhood, and whatever a man's earthly family may be, his true brothers are the ones who have the same Father in heaven. For this reason the word "brethren" was used by the followers of Jesus when they spoke of one another. This usage of the word "brother" was not invented by Jesus or by the early Church. Jews of the time commonly referred to one another as "brethren" also, as may be seen in Acts 2:29; 3:17; 7:2; 13:15, 26, 38; 22:1; 23:1, 5, 6; and 28:17. [1] But most often in the New Testament we see that this word (adelphos in the Greek) was used by Christians when they wanted to refer to another member of the Church. Paul even uses the word pseudadelphos "false brother" in reference to his Jewish "brothers" who pretended to be Christian brothers (i.e. the Judaizers denounced in Galatians 2:4). This is how Christians spoke in the earliest days of the Church. The fellow-Christian was a brother. The word "Christian," which is more commonly used than "brother" now, was actually coined by non-Christians, and it was not normally used in the Church. H.B. Hackett observes, "It was by this name [adelphos] that Christians usually spoke of each other.
Adelphe Adelphotes
The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon
Strong's Number: 80 Browse Lexicon
Original Word Word Origin
ajdelfov� from (1) (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb)
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Adelphos 1:144,22
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
ad-el-fos' Noun Masculine
Definition
a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
any fellow or man
a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
an associate in employment or office
brethren in Christ
his brothers by blood
all men
apostles
Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place
King James Word Usage - Total: 346
brethren 226, brother 113, brother's 6, brother's way 1
KJV Verse Count
Matthew 31
Mark 17
Luke 20
John 14
Acts 56
Romans 19
1 Corinthians 35
2 Corinthians 12
Galatians 11
Ephesians 3
Philippians 9
Colossians 5
1 Thessalonians 18
2 Thessalonians 8
1 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 1
Philemon 4
Hebrews 10
James 17
1 Peter 1
2 Peter 2
1 John 14
3 John 3
Jude 1
Revelation 5
Total 319
Greek lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament." These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Adelphos". "The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon". .
Adelphe Adelphotes
Strong's Concordance
pseudadelphos: a false brother
Original Word: ψευδάδελφος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: pseudadelphos
Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dad'-el-fos)
Short Definition: a false brother
Definition: a false brother, pretend Christian.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from pseud�s and adelphos
Definition
a false brother
NASB Translation
false brethren (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5569: ψευδάδελφος
ψευδάδελφος, ψευδαδελφου, ὁ (ψευδής and ἀδελφός), a false brother, i. e. one who ostentatiously professes to be a Christian, but is destitute of Christian knowledge and piety: 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
false brethren.
From pseudes and adephos; a spurious brother, i.e. Pretended associate -- false brethren.
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 7 May, 2015 08:56 AM
Well, Gosjude at least you tried to disprove that 'brethren ' is masculine and it means only male family members. You failed miserably but you tried.
We are all 'one' in Christ but 'brethren' still means 'men'. Notice I didn't say 'one BODY'.
Regarding who the 'BODY of Christ' is, I have not posted anything here or anywhere else because none of you would be able to handle the truth of the true identity of the 'BODY of Christ'.
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 7 May, 2015 09:58 AM
WOW!!!...MiMi...I don't know who Pooped in your Wheaties this morning :laugh:...I wasn't Trying to prove or disprove anything...merely welcoming a new person to the forums and sharing what I learned reading the Scriptures posted in the Article and the Verse 50 you shared...Geeezzzz...Louzzzz...I'm damned if I do and I'm damed if I don't share...
Why do you assume such non-sence about me or anyone else here ???...
Why are you so Angry at everyone ???...
Why do you take everything the folks share or post here so personal ???...
Why do you look so hard at the differances instead of seeking the similarities ???
Why do you Tear down (lash out) instead of Build up (edify) ???
I will be Forward...and I will make no appology for what I am to say here to you for I have said it to others here when they be in the way of error...
You know what they say about Assuming ???...
A $ $...U...me...And you MiMi may leave the "me" out of your Temper Tantrum...Have a God HolySpirit Filled day...:waving:
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 9 May, 2015 01:02 PM
Ok...Thanks for answering one of my questions....and since doing the Fathers Will is the most Important part of Verse 50...thats Exactly what ima gona do...Good By MiMi...:waving:...And may the Good Lord have Mercy upon us All!!!
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 10 May, 2015 02:51 PM
Your welcome GodsJude. :purpleangel:
There is ZERO chance that I am in error about anything that I have posted. As for temper tantrums, you need to prove that that with two witnesses don't you?
Time is short and if I remember correctly you believe that you are going to be raptured before the Great Tribulation?
There is ZERO chance you or any Christian is "going up" before the Great trib. I pray everyday for the Lord to have mercy on me and even more for those in the pre-trib rapture camp because you will all be in shock when you find yourselves in the Great trib.
I don't want you to be in shock on that day. So as long as I have energy I will keep on edifying and encouraging my fellow brothers and sisters to be prepared to go THORUGH the Great trib even unto death. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Lord bless us with the strength to endure persecution and affliction to the end .:angel:
