'Brethren' in the Bible

For I rejoiced exceedingly when the brethren came and bore testimony to thy holding fast the truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully in whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,

For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts them out of the assembly.