Check out Mt 12:49, Mk 6:3, Luke 8:19, Jn 7:3,4,5,10, referring to Jesus’ brothers ( adelphos- male sibling in the greek text, not adelphotes - a brotherly relation as in brotherhood).
Also, James, the Lord’s brother (adelphos) in Mt 13:55. Mk 6:3, Lk 24:10, Gal 1:19, Judas in Jude 1, James some more in Acts 1:13, 12:17, 21:18, Gal 2:9, and, James (the entire epistle of).
I have no doubt that these bothers had the same father as each other, and the same Mother, the Mother of Jesus.
One would have to construct an awful lot of sematic exceptions in order to purpose that these “brothers of the Lord” were really just members of the “brotherhood of Jesus....
The only reason to declare Mary a lifelong celibate woman is to worship her. Not to simply state what the language means in plain “greek”.
Seek it out, study of your own accord, test all things, ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit (if you are born again, otherwise your just stuck with your own intellect).
Best;
A phrase which irks me is the Mother of God thing. Mary wasn’t the mother of God the Father, but God the Son. She was impregnated by God the Holy Spirit. For her to be the mother of God,she would have to have given birth to the trinity. God has always existed, and through Jesus - all things were created - including Mary. Just where was Mary when Jesus was creating heaven and earth?
Catholics need to study the Word for themselves and think these things through - Mary was blessed to have been chosen as the vessel to bring the Savior into the world as a man. However, no where in the Scriptures are we ever told to treat her above Jesus - or to pray to her as a mediator. \
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In Matthew 12:49-50, Jesus is actually calling His disciples and other people who do the will of His Father in heaven "His brothers", using that Greek word "adelphos".
The truth is, "adelphos" can mean several things, including "a brother, near kinsman, or relative; one of the same nation or nature; one of equal rank and dignity; an associate, a member of the Christian community", etc. (Source: http://www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary/adelphos )
Also, your statement "The only reason to declare Mary a lifelong celibate woman is to worship her" is also false. There are many other reasons why one could believe that Mary was a lifelong celibate. I believe Mary is "ever-virgin" (celibate), and I do not worship Mary.