BRETHREN
Brethren
In the OT this term refers to: (1) birth from the same parent or parents (very frequently, e.g., in Genesis 37-50); (2) membership of the same nation (e.g. Exo 2:11), with special emphasis on the bond thus established between the various single tribes (e.g. Num 18:2, Deu 3:20), even when one of them is separated off (Deu 10:9; Deu 18:2; Deu 18:7); (3) membership of other groups lying between the family and the nation, i.e. clans and single tribes (see Deu 18:7, where the Levites brethren are his fellow-Levites); (4) metaphorical applications which are too general and too various for exact delimitation.
The OT and NT alike use only one word for brethren ( and respectively), and trust to its flexibility to express every needed shade of meaning, is of great frequency (about 40 times in Mt. and still oftener in Acts). In the Gospels the literal use predominates; in the Acts and Epistles various metaphorical uses. The literal use is especially clear in Mat 10:21; Mat 12:46; Mat 13:55; Mat 22:25, but Mt. tends more than any other Gospel to a metaphorical sense; cf. Mat 5:22-24; Mat 5:47; Mat 12:48-50; Mat 18:15; Mat 23:8; Mat 25:40; Mat 28:10, to which only Luk 8:21; Luk 17:3 provide even a partial parallel. The brother intended is especially ones fellow-Christian, and Mt. in this way leads over from the Gospels to the rest of the NT, much of which is, however, chronologically earlier.
in the purely family sense (see (1) above) occurs in Act 12:2, Gal 1:19, 1Co 9:5, and perhaps 2Co 8:18; 2Co 12:18 (A. Souter in Expository Times xviii. [1906-07] 285). In its second sense it occurs in Rom 9:3 (cf. Act 22:1; Act 22:5; Act 23:1; Act 23:5-6, where St. Paul is addressing Jews). Usually, however, the brethren (cf. , the brotherhood [1Pe 2:17; 1Pe 5:9]) means the Christian community (e.g. Act 1:15), and this is much more definitely marked off from non-Christians than in Mt. (cf. 1Co 5:11; 1Co 6:5; 1Co 7:12; the whole spirit of Gal., especially the privileged household of the faith, gal 6:10; and the alienation from the world in Jn. and 1 Jn.).
was common at this time in the Creek East as meaning member of a community (see Deissmann, Bible Studies, Eng. translation , 1901, p. 82f., Light from the Ancient East2, do., 1911, p. 107), but it would be a mistake to minimize on that account its fervent tone in the NT, or its importance as suggesting a fulfilment of such words of Jesus as Joh 13:35 concerning mutual love. This love is a command (Joh 13:34), a fundamental thing taught directly by God (1Th 4:9), a test of living or not living in God (1Jn 3:14; 1Jn 4:12). Denney in Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) (article Brotherly Love) points out that it found expression in two special ways-hospitality and care for persecuted Christians. The word brethren is continually used in exhortation and appeal, sometimes strengthened by (beloved), as in 1Co 15:58; or (and longed for) may further be added (Php 4:1). Again, brethren are called (faithful or believing), as Col 1:2; Col 4:9, or (holy), as Col 1:2, Heb 3:1. Frequently brother has a pathetic tone (1Co 8:11, Phm 1:7; Phm 1:18; Phm 1:20, 2Th 3:15, Jam 2:15). It is often a humble or a bumbling word (Gal 3:15; Gal 6:1, Php 3:13, 1Th 5:25, 2Th 3:1). In Act 9:17; Act 22:13, 1Co 16:12 (see Commentaries) it breathes a fine magnanimity. Gal 6:18 is noteworthy in that this most fiery of St. Pauls letters is the only one which has brothers as its closing note.
C. H. Watkins.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Brethren
(German Baptist Dunkards) A religious sect, popularly known as Dunkards or Dunkers, composed of four bodies:
Brethren Church (Progressive Dunkards);
Church of Brethren (Dunkards) ;
Church of God (New Dunkards); and
Old Order German Baptist Brethren.
In the United States in 1925 there were: 4,024 ministers; 1,314 churches; and 150,160 communicants.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Brethren
(), one of the common appellations of Christians. It occurs frequently in the N.T., and was current at the date of the apostolical epistles. Subsequently it became a title of respect and affection by which the baptized, or faithful, or complete members of the Church were distinguished from the catechumens. They were accosted or described by other titles, such as “the enlightened,” “the initiated,” “the perfect,” “elect,” “beloved,” “sons of God,” “beloved in Christ,” etc. SEE BROTHER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Brethren (2)
(), one of the common appellations of Christians. It occurs frequently in the N.T., and was current at the date of the apostolical epistles. Subsequently it became a title of respect and affection by which the baptized, or faithful, or complete members of the Church were distinguished from the catechumens. They were accosted or described by other titles, such as “the enlightened,” “the initiated,” “the perfect,” “elect,” “beloved,” “sons of God,” “beloved in Christ,” etc. SEE BROTHER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Brethren
See Brother
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Brethren
brethren. See BROTHER.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Brethren
Besides the literal meaning of the term, it was used for persons morally or nationally associated together; also for those who formed the Jewish nation. Act 2:29; Act 2:37 (where the expression ‘Men and brethren’ should be translated simply ‘Brethren’); Rom 9:3; etc. It was applied by the Lord to His disciples: “Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Joh 20:17. “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Heb 2:11; Psa 22:22. The Lord has placed the Christian in His own relationship as man with His Father and God, and “He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one .” In accordance with this the saints are constantly addressed in the Epistles as ‘brethren,’ and referred to in the Acts as ‘the brethren.’
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
BRETHREN
Kindred of Christ
Mat 12:46; Mat 13:55; Mar 3:31; Joh 2:12; Joh 7:3; Joh 7:5; 1Co 9:5; Gal 1:19