"false brothers"

[adf417]

In my readings today I ran across a term that peeked my interest - “dangers among false brothers” in 2 Corinthians 11:26. I see also in Galatians 2:4 “intruders and false brothers”.

Paul is seeming to differentiate this term “false brother” from Jews, Gentiles, pagans, intruders, thieves,…

I would like to get your, Catholic and non-Catholic, perspectives on your understanding of “false brothers” and how Paul could recognize who a “false brother” was.

Peace to all!!!

 

[Jenni_Anne]

I think personally that a false brother would be someone who said they knew the complete truth through their own grace and not a higher source spiritually speaking. From what I’ve seen even here, people don’t say they know a statement to be true because they know it, but rather because through council and prayer a consensus was reached among scholars (in this case priests etc.). If I were to say that I have the answers and could save a person’s soul myself I would be a false brother. I think a person with good intentions can accidentally fall into this as well. They mean well, but perhaps rely on their own experiences or beliefs too strongly. I am speaking as someone who has studied faiths but is returning to study the faith of my birth. I don’t know all the answers. I have been looked at as a priestess in the Wiccan faith while using findings in other faiths as well. I never gave myself the title, and was even reluctant to it. To be honest it scared me that people thought I knew enough for the name. If ever my own ego spoke when I guided people I too may have been guilty of false brotherhood. I suppose ego may be what it boils down to. This is why humility seems to be an essential component to faith around the world. Of course, this is my opinion based on observation and study. It seems to be consistent, but I will advise I may be mistaken.

 

[adf417]

I think personally that a false brother would be someone who said they knew the complete truth through their own grace and not a higher source spiritually speaking. From what I’ve seen even here, people don’t say they know a statement to be true because they know it, but rather because through council and prayer a consensus was reached among scholars (in this case priests etc.). If I were to say that I have the answers and could save a person’s soul myself I would be a false brother. I think a person with good intentions can accidentally fall into this as well. They mean well, but perhaps rely on their own experiences or beliefs too strongly.

Jenni I’m thinking differently especially after reading Galatians 2:4. Paul is speaking as though “false brothers” is some sort of infiltrating act. He also seems to consider this term as common understanding. So my question is how does he recognize those, or more importantly, how are the people he is preaching to supposed to recognize a false brother?

Peace!!!

 

[Jenni_Anne]

Ah, so it would be with the intent of misdirection and not merely an accident or coincidence. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[adf417]

Ah, so it would be with the intent of misdirection and not merely an accident or coincidence. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.

At least that’s my understanding. I would like to get others (name removed by moderator)ut as to who in the community these people would be that Paul wouldn’t call out directly as opposed to this indirect approach.

 

[1Tim215Mommy]

In my readings today I ran across a term that peeked my interest - “dangers among false brothers” in 2 Corinthians 11:26. I see also in Galatians 2:4 “intruders and false brothers”.

Paul is seeming to differentiate this term “false brother” from Jews, Gentiles, pagans, intruders, thieves,…

I would like to get your, Catholic and non-Catholic, perspectives on your understanding of “false brothers” and how Paul could recognize who a “false brother” was.

Peace to all!!!

You could look up those passages in other English translations of the Bible to see how other scholars have translated the Greek word. It may help shed more light on what the Greek meant.

 

[adf417]

You could look up those passages in other English translations of the Bible to see how other scholars have translated the Greek word. It may help shed more light on what the Greek meant.

All the translations are pretty much the same. I was just looking for differences in interpretation.

Peace!!!

 

[Monergistic]

Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14), Hymaneus (1 Timothy 1:20), Diotrephes (1 John verse 9), and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17).

What can we get out of those?