Pronunciation Guide: ah-del-FOSS

Basic Definition

Strong’s G80: ἀδελφός (adelphos) primarily denotes “brother” in its literal sense of male sibling from the same parents. In biblical usage, it extends metaphorically to encompass spiritual brotherhood in Christ, fellow believers, and members of the same religious or cultural community.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)
• Root: From ἀ- (copulative) and δελφύς (womb)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative, teaching, epistolary literature

Word Morphology:

• ἀδελφός (nominative singular) – brother
• ἀδελφοῦ (genitive singular) – of a brother
• ἀδελφῷ (dative singular) – to/for a brother
• ἀδελφόν (accusative singular) – brother (direct object)
• ἀδελφοί (nominative plural) – brothers
• ἀδελφῶν (genitive plural) – of brothers
• ἀδελφοῖς (dative plural) – to/for brothers
• ἀδελφούς (accusative plural) – brothers (direct object)

Word Origin & History

The term ἀδελφός derives from the combination of ἀ- (copulative prefix meaning “together”) and δελφύς (“womb”), literally meaning “from the same womb.” This etymology emphasizes the intimate biological connection between siblings, which became a powerful metaphor in biblical literature.

In classical Greek literature, the word appears frequently in works like Homer’s Iliad, where it often emphasizes the strong bonds between biological brothers. Herodotus uses the term in his Histories to describe both literal brothers and close allies, showing an early expansion of its meaning beyond purely biological relationships.

The Hellenistic period saw further semantic development as philosophical schools began using ἀδελφός to describe fellow disciples, preparing the way for its rich theological usage in the New Testament.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A male sibling sharing the same parent(s)
• A fellow believer in Christ, regardless of gender
• A person sharing the same national or cultural heritage
• A close associate or companion in ministry
• One who shares the same spiritual father (God)

Translation Options:

1. “Brother” – Best when referring to biological siblings or male believers, preserving the masculine gender
2. “Fellow believer” – Appropriate when emphasizing spiritual relationships, especially in modern contexts where gender-inclusive language is preferred
3. “Kinsman/relative” – Suitable when describing broader familial or cultural relationships

Biblical Usage

The New Testament employs ἀδελφός with remarkable frequency (343 occurrences), demonstrating its centrality to early Christian self-understanding. The term undergoes significant semantic expansion, moving from biological brotherhood to spiritual kinship in Christ.

In the Gospels, ἀδελφός appears in both literal contexts (describing Jesus’s biological brothers) and in Jesus’s teachings about spiritual family. Paul’s epistles demonstrate the most developed theological use of the term, where it becomes a primary designation for fellow Christians.

The Septuagint usage provides important background, especially in passages describing the relationship between biological brothers like Jacob and Esau, establishing patterns that would later be applied to spiritual relationships.

• “[ἀδελφός] brother of James, and slave of God and of Lord Jesus Christ” James 1:1
• “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My [ἀδελφός] brother” Matthew 12:50
• “Therefore, holy [ἀδελφοί] brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling” Hebrews 3:1
• “For you were called to freedom, [ἀδελφοί] brothers” Galatians 5:13
• “But we should always give thanks to God for you, [ἀδελφοί] brothers beloved by the Lord” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, brotherhood was a relationship defined by both privileges and obligations. Brothers were expected to protect each other’s interests, share inheritances, and maintain family honor. This cultural background enriches our understanding of how early Christians would have understood their designation as ἀδελφοί in Christ.

The early church’s use of familial terminology, particularly ἀδελφός, was revolutionary in a society strictly divided by social class, ethnicity, and gender. By calling slaves and masters, Jews and Greeks, men and women all “brothers,” the early church proclaimed a radical new social reality in Christ.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀδελφός in the New Testament reflects the profound truth that through Christ’s redemptive work, believers are adopted into God’s family. This adoption creates a new community that transcends natural family bonds, establishing a spiritual kinship based on shared faith in the Messiah.

The term carries significant ethical implications, as seen in passages addressing how believers should treat one another. The designation ἀδελφός creates obligations of love, support, and mutual accountability within the Christian community.

This spiritual brotherhood also points to the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament promises regarding the creation of a new covenant community, where God’s people would be united not by blood ties but by their relationship with Him through the Messiah.

Personal Application

Understanding the rich meaning of ἀδελφός challenges modern believers to examine their commitment to Christian community. Just as ancient brothers were bound by unbreakable obligations, so too should believers demonstrate sacrificial love and support for their spiritual siblings in Christ.

This understanding should transform how we view and treat fellow believers, recognizing that our spiritual bonds in Christ are as real and binding as biological family ties – perhaps even more so, as they are eternal, sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Related Words

• φιλαδελφία (philadelphia) [fil-ah-del-FEE-ah] – brotherly love, love of the brethren. See G5360
• ψευδάδελφος (pseudadelphos) [psyoo-DAD-el-fos] – false brother. See G5569
• σύναδελφος (synadelphos) [soon-AD-el-fos] – fellow brother. See G4889
• φιλάδελφος (philadelphos) [fil-AD-el-fos] – loving one’s brother. See G5361

Did you Know?

• The term ἀδελφός was so important in early Christian communities that it became a distinguishing mark of the faith, with pagans noting how Christians called each other “brother” and “sister” regardless of social status.
• The use of ἀδελφός in early Christian literature often carried legal implications, as brothers had specific responsibilities regarding inheritance and family property – a concept that carried over into spiritual brotherhood and church community.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀδελφός for “brother,” showing the remarkable continuity of this word from ancient times to the present, though its rich theological connotations are primarily preserved in ecclesiastical contexts.

Remember This

ἀδελφός represents more than mere biological kinship; it embodies the revolutionary Christian understanding that through Christ, believers become part of an eternal family bound together by divine love and shared inheritance in the Messiah.