Let me add that the literalist interpretation is that they are cousins, or perhaps other kinsfolk, because that is how "adelphoi" was normally used in the period, to describe any relative belonging to the same generation.
"Let me add that the literalist interpretation is that they are cousins, or perhaps other kinsfolk, because that is how "adelphoi" was normally used in the period, to describe any relative belonging to the same generation."
That is correct. Even today in Greek, any kinfolk of an older generation are called uncle or aunt even though they might in fact be 4th cousins twice removed.