description: In his letters, the apostle Paul characterizes the Christians as 'adelfoi', as 'brothers and sisters' (siblings). This is by far his most common way of speaking about fellow believers. When he speaks of the Christians as siblings, he employs contemporary notions of what sibling and family relations should be about: emotional closeness, love, tolerance and forgiveness, family honour and familial harmony. In various contexts Paul utilizes these ideals rhetorically, in order to influence the attitudes and behaviour of the Christians, both internally and in relation to outsiders. Since siblingship and family relations were so important in antiquity, Paul's use of this kind of language was significant and powerful.
language: English
title: My Beloved Brothers and Sisters: Christian Siblingship in Paul
titlecomplete: My Beloved Brothers and Sisters: Christian Siblingship in Paul (Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement)
ratings_count: 3
publisher: UNKNO