The claim that brother a del phos here means cousin a ne psi os is a theoretical contention the invention of which is credited to Jerome and dates back no earlier than 383 C E Not only does Jerome fail to cite any support for his newborn hypothesis but in later writings he wavers in his opinions and even expresses misgivings about his cousin theory J B Lightfoot states that St Jerome pleaded no traditional authority for his theory and that therefore the evidence in its favour is to be sought in Scripture alone I have examined the scriptural evidence and the combination of difficulties more than counterbalances these secondary arguments in its favour and in fact must lead to its rejection St Paul s Epistle to the Galatians London 1874 p 258