What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships?

What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships? Siblings are a frequent theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. Some of the most famous siblings in the Old Testament are Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1–8); Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:19–27); Joseph and his eleven brothers (Genesis 37); and Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Numbers 26:59). Likewise, the most famous siblings in the New Testament are Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18); and Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:1). The Bible encourages love among siblings. In fact, the Bible uses such phileo love as an illustration of love among believers. That is, we are to love one another in the family of God as we would love a brother or a sister: “Love one another with brotherly affection” (Romans 12:10, ESV).

It is in this light that Apostle Paul expressed his love for the saints in Philippi this way: “My brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1). Unfortunately, not all siblings express love for one another. Most of the previously mentioned famous sibling groups from the Old and New Testaments are known for their interpersonal conflicts and even hatred for each other. As revealed in the Bible, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, thereby committing the first murder (Genesis 4:3–8). Likewise, Jacob and Esau were at odds from the time they were in the womb and into adulthood (Genesis 25:23; 27). Joseph’s very brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt out of jealousy (Genesis 37:12–28). Surprisingly, even Martha and Mary’s story reveals a disagreement between the sisters (Luke 10:38–42).

What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships?

The Bible makes us understand how important it is to love and care for our siblings. Behold, Jesus Himself had siblings – brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, and an unknown number of sisters (Matthew 12:46; 13:55, 56). Jesus once used His family as a picture of His relationship with his followers as we can read from Matthew 12:46–50 – “While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’.”

It is important to understand that in saying this, Jesus was not disrespecting His family or saying that they were not important. In saying this, Jesus was rather likening a close family relationship to the bond He shares with everyone who believes in Him. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ bond with believers is even stronger, since it is free from bitterness, jealousy, anger, sin, disagreement, and/or frustration.

Understanding The Biblical Relationship Between Brothers And Sisters

There is much that we can learn from the Biblical examples of brothers and sisters. From what the Bible teaches, we can understand that conflict between siblings is not part of God’s plan for the family. Although the Almighty God ultimately uses each situation to bring about His will, the conflict between some of these siblings caused murderous jealousy, deadly wars, broken families, and grief. Amazingly, there are some effective principles that can be applied to any relationship to make it reflect our fellowship with God. We are to love others in a way that reflects the agape love of Christ: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7–8).

In the same light, we are to show kindness, and compassion to each other, treating those around us the way we want to be treated (Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:31). That is, we should not only respond gracefully in the face of our siblings’ anger, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, or accusations but also put in the best of our effort to serve them and make things right (John 13:12–14). In addition, Apostle Paul instructed believers to “live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18), avoiding arguments as well as conflicts. As Christians, we are to love everyone including our siblings. Likewise, we are to play the role of peacemakers when arguments or conflicts arise within our family. In loving and caring for our siblings, we should also encourage them to embrace the ways of the Lord.

What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships?

1 John 4:20 – “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Matthew 12:50 – “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.“

1 John 4:19-5:4 – “We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. …“

1 John 3:16 – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 3:16-24 – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. …“

1 John 4:21 – “And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.“

Romans 12:10 – “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Proverbs 15:5 – “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”

John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.“

Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 2:9-11 – “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Matthew 5:23-24 – “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Leviticus 19:17 – “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.”

1 Peter 2:17 – “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

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Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Matthew 12:50 – “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“

1 John 4:20-21 – “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Matthew 18:15 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.“

Genesis 12:13 – “Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”

Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Mark 3:35 – “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

1 John 3:17 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?“

1 Timothy 5:1-2 – “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.“

Luke 10:38-42 – “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”“

Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.“

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Matthew 25:40 – “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’“

Matthew 19:19 – “Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.“

1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

1 John 3:14 – “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.”

Luke 6:31 – “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.“

Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 3:11 – “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

Proverbs 7:4 – “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,“

John 15:12-13 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

1 John 4:11 – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.“

Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …“

1 Corinthians 13:13 – “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 3:16-18 – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

1 John 3:15 – “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

Psalm 133:1 – “A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!“

Romans 13:8-10 – “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.“

1 John 2:7 – “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.”

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Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 3:15 – “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

Philippians 4:1 – “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.“

John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.“

Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.“

Ezekiel 44:25 – “They shall not defile themselves by going near to a dead person. However, for father or mother, for son or daughter, for brother or unmarried sister they may defile themselves.”

Hosea 2:1 – Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 John 5:14-21 – “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. ...”

Romans 14:21 – “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

Ephesians 4:2 – “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

1 Chronicles 2:16 – “And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.”

1 John 3:23 – “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.“

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

2 Samuel 1:26 – “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.“

Job 42:11 – “Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.”

Genesis 30:1 – “When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”“

1 Corinthians 16:14 – “Let all that you do be done in love.“

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Romans 12:9-10 – “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

John 15:17 – “These things I command you, so that you will love one another.“

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Romans 12:15-16 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.“

James 2:15-17 – “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Leviticus 20:17 – “If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity.”

Matthew 4:18 – “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.”

Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Matthew 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

Genesis 20:5 – “Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.”

Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,“

Matthew 13:55-56 – “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Philippians 2:2 – “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.“

Philemon 1:7 – “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 Corinthians 10:24 – “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

Matthew 22:37-40 – And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 18:6 – “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Matthew 18:15-17 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Ephesians 4:1-6 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …“

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”

Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.“

John 17:22-23 – “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.“

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Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,“

2 Samuel 13:20 – And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom’s house.”

Matthew 12:46-50 – While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,”

1 John 5:1-13 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? …“

John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Galatians 6:1 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.“

Ephesians 4:13 – “Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”

Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Family Relationships

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 11:29 – “So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.”

1 Peter 1:22 – “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,“

Hebrews 13:1 – “Let brotherly love continue.“

Mark 1:1-45 – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. …“

Mark 3:31 – “And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.”