'Brethren' in the Bible

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;

For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.