This term is so variously and extensively applied in Scripture, that it becomes important carefully to distinguish the different acceptations in which it is used.
It denotes a brother in the natural sense, whether the offspring of the same father only (Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:1; Luke 3:19), or of the same father and mother (Luke 6:14, etc.).
A near relative or kinsman by blood, cousin (Genesis 13:8; Genesis 14:16; Matthew 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19).
One who is connected with another by any tie of intimacy or fellowship: hence—
One born in the same country, descended from the same stock, a fellow countryman (Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 7:5; Exodus 2:11; Exodus 4:18).
One of equal rank and dignity (Job 30:29; Proverbs 18:9; Matthew 23:8).
Disciples, followers, etc. (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11-12).
One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 11); from which and other texts it appears that the first converts to the faith of Jesus were known to each other by the title of Brethren, till the name of Christians was given to them at Antioch (Acts 11:26).
An associate, colleague in office or dignity, etc. (Ezra 3:2; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; etc.).
One of the same nature, a fellow man (Genesis 13:8; Genesis 26:31; Matthew 5:22-24; Matthew 7:5; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 8:11).
One beloved, i.e. as a brother, in a direct address (Acts 2:29; Acts 6:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:1).
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John Kitto was an English biblical scholar of Cornish descent.Born in Plymouth, John Kitto was a sickly child, son of a Cornish stonemason. The drunkenness of his father and the poverty of his family meant that much of his childhood was spent in the workhouse. He had no more than three years of erratic and interrupted education. At the age of twelve John Kitto fell on his head from a rooftop, and became totally and permanently deaf. As a young man he suffered further tragedies, disappointments and much loneliness. His height was 4 ft 8 in, and his accident left him with an impaired sense of balance. He found consolation in browsing at bookstalls and reading any books that came his way.
From these hardships he was rescued by friends who became aware of his mental abilities and encouraged him to write topical articles for local newspapers, arranging eventually for him to work as an assistant in a local library. Here he continued to educate himself.
One of his benefactors was the Exeter dentist Anthony Norris Groves, who in 1824 offered him employment as a dental assistant. Living with the Groves family, Kitto was profoundly influenced by the practical Christian faith of his employer. In 1829 he accompanied Groves on his pioneering mission to Baghdad and served as tutor to Groves's two sons. In 1833 Kitto returned to England via Constantinople, accompanied by another member of the Groves mission, Francis William Newman. Shortly afterwards he married, and in due course had several children.
A London publisher asked Kitto to write up his travel journals for a series of articles in the Penny Magazine, a publication read at that time by a million people in Britain, reprinted in America and translated into French, German and Dutch. Other writing projects followed as readers enquired about his experiences in the East amidst people living in circumstances closely resembling those of Bible times.
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