What does the Bible say about brother?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that brothers are to be loved with faithful, practical, and forgiving care, especially within the household of faith. Proverbs 17:17 portrays a brother as one who is born for adversity, while Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that true friendship may prove closer than a brother. Hebrews 13:1 calls believers to continue in brotherly love, and Psalm 133:1 celebrates the beauty of God’s people dwelling together in unity. This love must be genuine: 1 John 4:20 warns that love for God cannot be separated from love for fellow believers. Colossians 3:13 urges patience and forgiveness, and 1 Timothy 5:8 underscores responsibility to provide for one’s own household.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.
- 1 John 4:20
If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
- Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Psalms 133:1
> See how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity!
- Revelation 1:1
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
- Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Signifies
- a relative Genesis 14:16; Genesis 29:12
- a neighbor Deuteronomy 23:7; Judges 21:6; Nehemiah 5:7
- any Israelite Jeremiah 34:9; Obadiah 1:10
- mankind Genesis 9:5; Matthew 18:35; 1 John 3:15
- a companion 2 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 13:30; 1 Kings 20:33
- Love of Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24; Song of Solomon 8:1
- Unfaithful Proverbs 27:10
- Reuben’s love for Joseph Genesis 37:21; Genesis 37:22
- Joseph’s, for his brethren Genesis 43:30-34; Genesis 45:1-5; Genesis 50:19-25
- A fraternal epithet, especially among Christians
- Instituted by Christ Matthew 12:50; Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 2:12
- Used by disciples Acts 9:17; Acts 21:20; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 7:12; 2 Corinthians 2:13
- by Peter 1 Peter 1:22
- Used among the Israelites Leviticus 19:17; Deuteronomy 22:1-4
- Brother’s widow
- Law concerning Levirate marriage of Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Matthew 22:24; Mark 12:19; Luke 20:28
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