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 : 29 Apr, 2015 09:24 AM
Bible warnings concerning false prophets, false apostles, false teachers and false Christians are explicit and nearly ubiquitous! Warnings are serious and sobering! False teachers are not a rarity they are all over the place in many churches. They issue "prophetic utterances" supposedly from God but often contradict Scripture. False teachers/prophets predict future events and dates that never come to pass proving themselves false teachers. Yet and unfortunately these false prophets maintain a loyal following despite a proliferation of false prophecies. False healer/teachers claim to work miracles like Jesus did. But their hit and miss cheap "miracles" resemble witch doctor, psychic or new age manifestations rather than the works of power that Jesus and his apostles performed instantaneously.
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 5 May, 2015 02:03 PM
Blondie, you left out verse 50 which proves that "brethren" and "brothers" in the Greek is masculine and refers only to males.
The word for "sisters" is adelphe and is feminine. Referring only to females just as "brethren" and "brothers", although they refer to family members, it is only addressing male family members because they are noun, masculine part of speech.
adelphē
Thayer Definition:
1) a full, own sister
2) one connected by the tie of the Christian religion
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer�s/Strong�s Number: from G80
The Greek word for "mother" is also feminine.
mētēr
Thayer Definition:
1) a mother
2) metaphorically the source of something, the motherland
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer�s/Strong�s Number: apparently a primary word
Mat 12:48 ButG1161 heG3588 answeredG611 and saidG2036 unto him that toldG2036 him,G846 WhoG5101 isG2076 myG3450 mother?G3384 andG2532 whoG5101 areG1526 myG3450 BRETHREN?G80
Mat 12:49 AndG2532 he stretched forthG1614 hisG848 handG5495 towardG1909 hisG848 disciples,G3101 and said,G2036 BeholdG2400 myG3450 motherG3384 andG2532 myG3450 BRETHREN!G80
Mat 12:50 ForG1063 whosoeverG3748 shall doG4160 theG3588 willG2307 of myG3450 FatherG3962 whichG3588 is inG1722 heaven,G3772 the sameG846 isG2076 myG3450 BROTHER,G80 andG2532 SISTER,G79 andG2532 MOTHER.G3384
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 5 May, 2015 02:52 PM
Mimi funny you should show up!!! You come ONLY to create division and you do NOTHING but TEAR DOWN Christ followers. Go back over to your stomping grounds CM where you create trouble almost daily. I know who you are. You do not have the truth in you.
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 5 May, 2015 03:24 PM
When I hear a message in my church, on the radio or youtube, I compare what's being said to scripture to make sure it matches up. It's good to take notes, or in my church the message is available on CD too.
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 5 May, 2015 03:46 PM
Funny Blondie you should protest the truth because you aren't able to refute it.
Apostate Christians will always mock and scorn those who are walking in love of the truth.
I have no problem believing the writers of the epistles were addressing men except where women or wives are addressed specifically as in Eph 5:22. I wonder why you do?
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 5 May, 2015 06:26 PM
You have a problem with God's word Blondie. You can deny it all you want, it won't change the truth.
You posted that the Greek word for "brother' means females also. You are teaching a falsehood and need to repent.
Your attacks on me are a disguise to cover your false teachings. If what I replied to you wasn't true you would have able to refute it with Scripture and the correct definitions. Any deviation from Biblical truth is apostasy.
You are walking on a dangerous path. Take heed that the Light(spiritual truth) in you is not darkness. As I also always watch myself in everything although I'm not saying that I haven't made mistakes but whatever I have posted so far, anywhere, I know to be true. Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will read my replies and begin to do a study to see if this is true like a noble Berean and that's good enough for me.
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. Pro 16:18
A Study on the words "brethren and "false brethren" in the Greek; Part 1
Posted : 6 May, 2015 04:10 PM
:waving: Hi blest...welcome to the Forums !!!...I totally agree with you...it is always best to take any and all questions or doubt to the Holy Word...
*** Lets take a look at those verses�Mat 12:48- 50
Mat 12:48 ButG1161 heG3588 answeredG611 and saidG2036 unto him that toldG2036 him,G846 WhoG5101 isG2076 myG3450 mother?G3384 andG2532 whoG5101 areG1526 myG3450 BRETHREN?G80
Mat 12:49 AndG2532 he stretched forthG1614 hisG848 handG5495 towardG1909 hisG848 disciples,G3101 and said,G2036 BeholdG2400 myG3450 motherG3384 andG2532 myG3450 BRETHREN!G80
Mat 12:50 ForG1063 whosoeverG3748 shall doG4160 theG3588 willG2307 of myG3450 FatherG3962 whichG3588 is inG1722 heaven,G3772 the sameG846 isG2076 myG3450 BROTHER,G80 andG2532 SISTER,G79 andG2532 MOTHER.G3384
*** Well�G79 SISTER in verse 50 comes NUMERICALY before G80 BROTHER and BRETHREN in verse 49 it is being stated as being the Same word as Brother in verses 48 and 49�So I�ll start with G79�even though �whosoever shall do the Will of the Father is the most Important subject matter of verse of 50�
Strong's Concordance
G79
adelph�: sister
Original Word: ἀδελφή, ῆς, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: adelph�
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-el-fay')
Short Definition: a sister
Definition: a sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman.
*** [[[ Notice �fellow member of a �church� ]]]�WOW!!!...a Christian �woman��a fellow member�
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
fem. from adelphos
*** Notice�fem. from � adelphos ��What is really Interesting about this is that the Number associated with a Hebrew Word and its Placement has much Significance and Importance as well as the Word its self�Greek trys it�s best to do the same. Notice the Sequence�FATHER, Heaven, Brother, Sister, Mother�So it Appears that some folks have Miss the Hierarchy / Rank / Union�FATHER Heaven, Brother Sister, Mother~???....that Jesus is Referring too here�I missed it to until the Holy Spirit showed me...I mostly study Hebrew/Aramaic and am now studying Greek�WOW!!! It is really Interesting...
Definition
sister
NASB Translation
believing (1), sister (16), sisters (8).
*** Notice��Believing�
*** Now let�s look at brother�and By The Way�There is NO word BRETHREN in the Greek Texts / Manuscrips�see verse 49 at this link.
http://biblehub.com/text/matthew/12-49.htm Scroll down to verify�
Strong's Concordance
G80
adelphos: a brother
Original Word: ἀδελφός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: adelphos
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-el-fos')
Short Definition: a brother
Definition: a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian.
*** Notice fellow Christian...
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a cop. prefix) and delphus (womb)
*** ^^^^^ � from [[[ alpha ]]] ( as a cop. Prefix) and [[[ delphus ]]] (womb) <<< Interesting�
*** Notice�Believing Husband�and �Brethren*� has a * for a reason�
*** Now lets look at alpha mentioned above�
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Alpha.
Of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first: --Alpha. Often used (usually an, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from aneu) in the sense of privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of hama).
see GREEK aneu Strong's Concordance G427
aneu: without (preposition) <<<< �Without � preposition
Original Word: ἄνευ
Part of Speech: Preposition ~ [[[ Preposition ~ a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, as in �the man on the platform,� �she arrived after dinner,� �what did you do it for ?�
Transliteration: aneu
Phonetic Spelling: (an'-yoo)
Short Definition: without, without the cooperation or knowledge of
Definition: without, without the cooperation (or knowledge) of.
427 �neu � properly, "without, i.e. without one's will or intervention (used with this meaning from Homer on" (J. Thayer).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
perhaps akin to alpha (as a neg. prefix)
*** Negative ??? �that�s Interesting�Hummmm�.
Definition
without (preposition)
NASB Translation
apart (1), without (2).
*** Apart�Without�Hummmm�Apart from What ???...Who ???...Hummmm�
see GREEK hama Strong's Concordance G260
hama: at once
Original Word: ἅμα
Part of Speech: Adverb�.[[[[ adverb ~ a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc. (e.g., gently, quite, then, there ).
Transliteration: hama
Phonetic Spelling: (ham'-ah)
Short Definition: at the same time, along with
Definition: at the same time, therewith, along with, together with.
*** Notice at the same time�therewith�along with�together with�WOW!!!
And also this Word�s Number Sequence G260 �hama� comes before G427 �aneu��
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. Word
Definition
at once
NASB Translation
early (1), same time (5), together (3).
*** Notice�sametime�together�
*** Well that was Funnnnn!!!!YIPPPYYYY!!!!!....
*** So whats all this �Separation about ???...there is No Separation ANYMORE !!!
Ephesians 2:14-22 (KJV)
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
*** Made Both ONE !!!...Remember and Note� Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, [ there is neither male nor female: ] [ for ye are all one ] [ in Christ Jesus.]�[[[ ]]] added for emphasis
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
*** of � twain � [ archaic term for two ] ONE New Man�
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
*** Both�ONE Body�
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
*** we BOTH�by ONE Spirit�
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
*** I Truly Love to Study The WORD�Its Amazing how much is revealed and learned�:yay:
