Topical Bible: Brother: Unfaithful

◄ Brother: Unfaithful ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "brother" often extends beyond biological relationships to include spiritual kinship among believers. However, the Scriptures also address the theme of unfaithfulness among brothers, highlighting the challenges and consequences of such behavior within the community of faith.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain and Abel: The first instance of unfaithfulness between brothers is found in Genesis 4. Cain, in a fit of jealousy and anger, murders his brother Abel. This act of betrayal is a profound example of unfaithfulness, as Cain disregards the familial bond and God's warning. Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."

2. Joseph and His Brothers: In Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers exhibit unfaithfulness by selling him into slavery out of envy for their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams. This betrayal sets the stage for a series of events that ultimately lead to the preservation of the family during a famine. Genesis 37:28 recounts, "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs offers insights into the nature of unfaithful brothers. Proverbs 18:19 notes, "An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle." This proverb underscores the difficulty of reconciling with a brother who has been wronged, emphasizing the deep impact of betrayal.

New Testament Teachings

1. Parable of the Prodigal Son: In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, which illustrates themes of unfaithfulness and redemption. The younger son squanders his inheritance, demonstrating unfaithfulness to his father and family. However, upon his return, the father's forgiveness highlights the possibility of restoration. The elder brother's reaction, however, reveals his own struggle with faithfulness and grace. Luke 15:28-30 describes, "The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours, yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!'"

2. Judas Iscariot: Perhaps the most infamous example of an unfaithful brother in the New Testament is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Judas's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver is a stark reminder of the potential for unfaithfulness even among those closest to Christ. Matthew 26:14-16 records, "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."

Apostolic Writings

The epistles also address the issue of unfaithfulness among brothers in the faith. In 1 John 3:12 , believers are warned, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous." This admonition serves as a call to maintain faithfulness and love within the Christian community.

The theme of unfaithful brothers in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to uphold the bonds of brotherhood with integrity, love, and faithfulness, reflecting the character of Christ in all relationships.

Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 27:10
Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not; neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Letter xxxviii. To his Brother Gregory, Concerning the Difference ...
... of Sebaste, brother of Basil and Gregory. The Ben. ... viii. 477), Lucan's "concordia
discors" (Phars. i. 98), or Tennyson's "faith unfaithful.". ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xxxviii to his brother.htm

Joseph
... that they are a part of his religion"that in breaking them, by being an unfaithful
husband, a dishonest servant, an unnatural son, a selfish brother, he sins ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... Hence he that is unfaithful in that which is little will also be unfaithful in that ...
but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Epistle xi. To Brunichild, Queen.
... Moreover, how your Excellency conducted yourself towards our brother and
fellow-bishop ... that He may not bring upon you the scourge due to unfaithful races, ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xi to brunichild queen.htm

The Martyrdom of James
... He is associated in the Gospels with Peter and his brother John, and is always ... escaped
from Herod when Herod slew him but could not make him unfaithful to his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the martyrdom of james.htm

The Two Classes.
... to take up such a position; and that the elder brother needed to ... who are frequently
telling untruths and whom we are constantly finding unfaithful, why should ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter iii the two classes.htm

The Third Book
... us see who keeps these great sacraments in such a way as to be judged faithful,
for, as I said, the unfaithful must be ... "Whosoever hateth his brother," says the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

Psalm CI.
... two names, man, and unfaithful: God made him man, he made himself unfaithful; love
in ... Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." [4566] For ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the ten virgins, the importunate friend, the unjust judge, the unfaithful steward,
the ... The primal murder, when "Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Blessedness of the Martyr.
... Then he who has lied and shown himself unfaithful, and revolted to the devil's army,
in what evil do we think ... And is it not for this that he is called brother? ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii the blessedness of the.htm