Lexical Summary adelphé: Sister Original Word: ἀδελφή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sister. Fem of adephos; a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically) -- sister. see GREEK adephos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. from adelphos Definition sister NASB Translation believing (1), sister (16), sisters (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 79: ἀδελφήἀδελφή, (ῆς, ἡ (see ἀδελφός) (from Aeschylus down), sister; 1. a full, own sister (i. e. by birth): Matthew 19:29; Luke 10:39; John 11:1, 3, 5; John 19:25; Romans 16:15, etc.; respecting the sisters of Christ, mentioned in Matthew 13:56; Mark 6:3, see ἀδελφός, 1. 2. one connected by the tie of the Christian religion: 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Philemon 1:2 L T Tr WH; James 2:15; with a subjective genitive, a Christian woman especially dear to one, Romans 16:1. Topical Lexicon Familial Usage in the Gospel Narratives Matthew 13:56 and Mark 6:3 record townspeople remarking, “And are not all His sisters here with us?” affirming that Jesus grew up within an ordinary household that included ἀδελφαί. Mark 3:32 echoes the same family circle when Mary arrives with the brothers and sisters of Jesus. These references ground the incarnation in tangible, verifiable family relationships, underscoring the genuine humanity of Christ. The Lord’s Compassion for Sisters John’s account of Lazarus centers on his sisters: “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one You love is sick’” (John 11:3). John 11:5 adds, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” Their grief moves Jesus to tears and to the raising of Lazarus, showing His deep personal concern for women within the covenant community. Spiritual Sisterhood Among Disciples When Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50; cf. Mark 3:35), ἀδελφή gains a spiritual dimension. Within the church, believing women are sisters by new birth, united by faith rather than bloodline, a theme Paul adopts in pastoral counsel: “Treat… younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” (1 Timothy 5:2). The Cost and Reward of Discipleship Jesus promises that whoever leaves “brothers or sisters… for My name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29–30). Luke 14:26 likewise places “sisters” among the ties a disciple must subordinate to loyalty to Christ. The term therefore marks both earthly sacrifice and the multiplied spiritual family received in return. Sisters Active in Early-Church Ministry Phoebe is commended as “our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea” (Romans 16:1). Nereus’s unnamed sister is greeted in Romans 16:15, and Apphia is addressed as “our sister” in Philemon 1:2. These salutations reveal women recognized for service, hospitality, and support of apostolic labor. Ethical Mandates Toward Needy Sisters James confronts empty religion: “If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food… what good is it?” (James 2:15–16). Practical love toward vulnerable sisters is a non-negotiable evidence of living faith. Apostolic Rights and Restraint Paul observes that he and Barnabas refrain from taking along “a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers” (1 Corinthians 9:5), using ἀδελφή to denote Christian women who would travel as spouses. The verse balances legitimate liberty with personal self-denial for gospel advance. Providence and Protection Acts 23:16 notes that “the son of Paul’s sister” uncovered a plot against Paul, illustrating how God can employ extended family—biological sisters and their households—for His protective purposes. Final Greetings and Household Faithfulness 2 John concludes, “The children of your elect sister greet you” (2 John 1:13), reminding readers that entire families, including believing sisters, stood firm together in the truth. Doctrinal and Practical Significance • ἀδελφή affirms both biological and spiritual kinship, rooting Christ’s incarnation in real family and expanding that concept to the redeemed community. Forms and Transliterations αδελφαι αδελφαί ἀδελφαί ἀδελφαὶ αδελφας αδελφάς ἀδελφάς ἀδελφὰς αδελφη αδελφή ἀδελφή ἀδελφὴ ἀδελφῇ αδελφην αδελφήν ἀδελφὴν αδελφης αδελφής ἀδελφῆς αδελφιδέ αδελφιδοί αδελφιδόν αδελφιδός αδελφιδού αδελφιδώ adelphai adelphaí adelphaì adelphas adelphás adelphàs adelphe adelphē adelphḗ adelphḕ adelphêi adelphē̂i adelphen adelphēn adelphḕn adelphes adelphês adelphēs adelphē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:50 N-NFSGRK: ἀδελφὸς καὶ ἀδελφὴ καὶ μήτηρ NAS: he is My brother and sister and mother. KJV: brother, and sister, and mother. INT: brother and sister and mother Matthew 13:56 N-NFP Matthew 19:29 N-AFP Mark 3:32 Noun-NFP Mark 3:35 N-NFS Mark 6:3 N-NFP Mark 10:29 N-AFP Mark 10:30 N-AFP Luke 10:39 N-NFS Luke 10:40 N-NFS Luke 14:26 N-AFP John 11:1 N-GFS John 11:3 N-NFP John 11:5 N-AFS John 11:28 N-AFS John 11:39 N-NFS John 19:25 N-NFS Acts 23:16 N-GFS Romans 16:1 N-AFS Romans 16:15 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 7:15 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 9:5 N-AFS 1 Timothy 5:2 N-AFP Philemon 1:2 N-DFS James 2:15 N-NFS Strong's Greek 79 |
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