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What does the Bible say about brothers?

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The Bible teaches that brothers are to live in sincere, forgiving, and steadfast love, reflecting the family bond God creates among his people. Psalm 133:1 celebrates the goodness of brothers dwelling in unity, while Proverbs 17:17 commends loyal love in adversity. Jesus commands believers to pursue reconciliation when wronged and to forgive from the heart, as Matthew 18:15-20 and 18:35 show. The apostles warn that hatred toward a brother contradicts the new life in Christ, for love of God is inseparable from love for fellow believers (1 John 3:15; 4:20). Through Christ, who is not ashamed to call his redeemed people brothers, the church is called to continue in brotherly love (Hebrews 2:11; 13:1).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 17:17 6 votes

    A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

  • Psalms 133:1 5 votes

    > See how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity!

  • 1 John 3:15 4 votes

    Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

  • Hebrews 13:1 4 votes

    Let brotherly love continue.

  • 1 John 4:20 4 votes

    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 4 votes

    A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

  • Matthew 18:15-20 3 votes

    [15] "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. [16] But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. [18] Most assuredly I tell you, whatever things you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you will release on earth will be released in heaven. [19] Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

  • 1 Peter 1:22 2 votes

    Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:

  • Hebrews 2:11 2 votes

    For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

  • Matthew 18:35 2 votes

    So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."

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