Friendships are important in our lives. People can be our best friends and they can influence us greatly. We should be careful about the friends we choose and make sure that those are really true friends who really care about us. These verses from the Bible will tell you how important friendship is and God wants to bless it and help you develop it in your life
To stay within the topic, we will look at a few specific things that the Bible tells us about how to be a friend and how friendship can work. This is just a brief overview as to what God has told us on the subject. We will cover some of the key passages on friendship from the Bible, what it means to be a friend and how we can show others that we are true friends.
Scripture from the Bible can be used in a Bible study to encourage, motivate and also to teach on how God through Jesus seeks to encourage us to be our very best in life and how God is there for us even when we may falter. One of these scriptures which demonstrates this is Proverbs 17:17, ‘A friend loves at all times.’ Other verses include Job 2:11-12, ‘The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised,’ Psalm 55:22-23, (NIV) ‘Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.’
Friendship Scriptures In The Bible
The Bible is full of scriptures on friendship. Here are some of my favorites.
Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”
Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Friendship is one of the most precious things in life. It can be difficult to find a true friend, but once you do, it’s worth all the effort.
These friendship scriptures in the Bible offer helpful advice for developing your friendships and keeping them strong.
Friendship Scriptures In The Bible
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
These friendship scriptures from the Bible will encourage you to be a better friend and make your friendships stronger.
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. -Matthew 3:12
As iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18:24
The Bible says that God is our friend (Isaiah 41:8). Jesus calls us His friends (John 15:15). We are to treat others as we would want them to treat us (Luke 6:31). If we have true friends, why not make our friendships stronger by following these Bible verses?
Friendship Scriptures In The Bible
- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” –Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” –Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
- “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” –Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” –Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
- “He who walks with wise men will be wise; but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” -Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
The Bible is full of examples of friendship and encouragement. Here are a few verses from the Bible that will help you strengthen your relationships with others.
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 – Burdened for you because I know that my imprisonment is helping to spread the gospel even while my physical presence cannot be with you as I would like to be. For this reason I am even more eager to preach the gospel in all the world and to preach it also to you who are in Rome. For I am sure about this very thing: The one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ (NIV).
Friendship is one of the most important aspects of human existence. It is also one of the most difficult to navigate, and we have all experienced a friend who has caused us more pain than pleasure. But as Christians, we know that God stands for good, and we can trust Him to guide us through even our most difficult relationships.
There are many passages in Scripture that support this idea that God cares about our friendships and wants us to be blessed by them. Here are some examples:
“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).
“Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away” (Proverbs 27:10).
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
“The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Blessings Of Friendship Scripture
Friendship is the gold setting that enhances a diamond. ~ Prov. 27:9 (GNT)
But if we are to be friends, now and forever, we must be honest with each other. ~ Prov. 18:24 (CEV)
Once a friend asks for help, always say yes. ~ Prov. 17:17 (LB)
Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. ~ Eccl 4:9-12 (NIV)
A true friend will help you move! But a best friend will help you move bodies! – Lenny Bruce
Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Let’s take a look at Proverbs 27:6, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
In this verse, the word “friend” is used to describe someone who loves you and cares about you. The word “enemy” indicates someone who is your enemy and wants to hurt you in some way (whether it’s emotionally or physically).
So what does this mean for us today? If we have someone in our life who truly loves us and cares about how we’re doing, then their words should be valuable to us because they will offer genuine support. On the other hand, if we have an enemy—someone who wants to hurt us—then his/her words will not be trustworthy because they are more focused on hurting rather than helping.
So how do these verses apply personally? If someone tells me something negative about myself or others I know (e.g., spreading gossip), then that person cannot be trusted because he/she has ulterior motives behind their words; however, if my friends are there supporting me through hard times then they are trustworthy because they want nothing more than my best interest!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
You’re not alone! God and Jesus have your back. And they don’t just mean that figuratively, they literally have your back: the Bible says so. In fact, there are several scriptures about friendship in the Bible which serve as an important reminder of God’s love and care for us.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
- Friendship is an important part of life.
- It’s more than just having someone to hang out with — it’s the strength and support you get from your friends that matters most.
- In Ecclesiastes 4:12, Solomon says “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
This verse means that if you have a strong friendship with two people, you will be able to overcome anything and still be okay.
Romans 12:10 – Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
The Bible says, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). That means you should also love your friends. And it’s not just about the feelings you have for them—it’s also about how you treat and care for them.
Romans 12:10 says, “[W]ith brotherly affection [or ‘kindness’] each one of you should be quick to share his own fortune with another.” In other words, if there’s a way that you can help out a friend in need and they don’t ask or expect it from you, then do it! That’s what this passage is saying.
The Bible goes on to talk about “outdoing” one another in showing honor as well (Romans 12:10). We should honor our friends by doing good things for them and being friendly toward them (1 Timothy 6:2). The word translated here as “honor” means something like esteeming or valuing someone highly (Strong’s Number G4393). So this doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to spend money on the person—just act respectfully toward them when interacting with them or think highly enough of their worthiness so as not to disrespect their value through discourteous treatment or words regarding who they are before God Himself!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Encouraging others is a great way of showing love. It helps each other grow and become better Christians, people and so much more.
Encouraging one another is a great way of building up each other. It shows we care about the people around us, it shows that we have time for them and it shows how much we appreciate what they do for us, how much we like them as friends and how important they are in our lives.
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Our friends are all around us, and many of them have needs that we can help with. If you’re like me, your friends might be in need of encouragement or someone to provide comfort during a difficult time. The Bible instructs us to be empathetic toward others (Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep). But what does it mean to be empathetic? Empathy is “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” This means that when your friend is going through something difficult, you should try to put yourself in their shoes and consider how they feel. Take time out of your day and do something nice for them! For example: send an encouraging text message or call them on the phone just because you know they’ll appreciate it.
Psalm 133:1 – Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Psalm 133:1 – Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down upon the edge of his robes.
In this scripture we see that God delights in us being together. It is good to be together because God delights in it! When we are unified as brothers and sisters in Christ then God glorifies himself through our unity. Unity means we are on the same team—there are no divisions between us; all one body existing under Christ’s headship. Unity also demonstrates love for each other as well as a desire to please Christ by having fellowship with other believers (John 15:13).
Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” This Scripture is a powerful reminder of the importance of praying with others and being part of a small group. God has used these types of relationships to bring healing in my life and deepen my faith. As you continue on your journey with Christ, it may be helpful to find someone who can pray with you and encourage you along the way!
Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” This verse warns against evil company and encourages us to find friends who will help us grow in wisdom and virtue.
Friendship is an essential part of life because it helps us to become better people by encouraging us to do good things and avoid bad ones. How are we supposed to do this? By finding friends who have a similar vision for their lives as you do—people who want what’s best for you and encourage you toward your goals instead of dragging you down into their messes or vices.
John 15:13-14 – Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
- John 15:13-14
In essence, we can summarize the teachings of these friendship scriptures in the Bible as follows: Build friendships that are based on mutual respect and care and that serve God. This means becoming more aware of how we treat others and asking ourselves whether our words and actions reflect Christ’s love for all people. We may also consider ways to build relationships with those who are different from us, as well as take time to nurture existing relationships. By following these biblical principles, we can celebrate our friendships as one way that we experience God’s love in our lives!
What Does The Bible Say About Friendship With God
The Bible says that our relationship with God is a friendship.
The Hebrew word for “friend” (yad) is used in the Old Testament over 1,500 times. The word yad is used in the Old Testament in relation to God’s people and to God Himself.
It is also used to describe the relationship between a husband and wife (Genesis 24:16-50), between parents and children (Genesis 29:15; Song of Solomon 8:6), between friends (1 Samuel 18:1-4), and between enemies (Judges 20:14).
The Bible teaches that we are called to be friends of God.
“But now you must be friends with him because he has been made ruler over all the land.”
(Joshua 24:19)
Friend of God
In the Bible, a friend of God is a person who enjoys a close relationship with God. The term is used in both the Old and New Testaments, but more often in the latter. Sometimes it refers to all believers, but in many cases it specifically refers to people who are especially close to God.
In the Old Testament, friends of God are those who have been chosen by God for some special mission or task (Exod. 33:16; Deut. 4:7). In the New Testament, friends of God are those who have experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and belong to his body, the church (John 15:15). Jesus has made himself known personally to such people and they accept him as their Savior.
Friendship with God is not something that happens automatically because someone is born into a Christian family or belongs to a church; it requires taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves in everyday life. It also means being willing to share your faith openly with others and seeking out opportunities for prayer and Bible study so that you can develop this friendship with God through knowing him better every day.
When we talk about friendship with God, it’s important that we understand what this means. God is not a person. He is a divine presence, an infinite intelligence and unconditional love. He is the ultimate source of all life and all creation. This makes it difficult for us to relate to him in the same way that we relate to other people.
Friendship with God means having a personal relationship with God as a friend. It doesn’t mean that you’re his buddy or pal or anything like that — although it can feel like that sometimes!
You don’t have to be religious or even spiritual in order to have a friendship with God. You don’t have to believe in Jesus or any other religious figure either (although many people do). You don’t even need to believe in God…although it helps! All you need is an open heart and mind, an open spirit and a willingness to explore who you really are at your deepest levels…and then perhaps allow yourself to be transformed by the experience!
The Bible says that God is a friend of the sinners, and we are all sinners. He loves us unconditionally, no matter what we have done.
The Bible also says that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). This does not mean that we must love God more than anyone else in the world, but it does mean that we should put Him first in our lives. We should try to obey His commandments and do what He asks us to do because He loves us so much.
The Bible says that there is one God who created everything (Genesis 1:1). He is holy, righteous, just and merciful (Exodus 34:6-7). Because of His holiness, no one can see Him or know Him apart from faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:18).
I think the first thing to ask is, “What does friendship mean?” And I think friendship means something different for everyone.
For me, it’s about being able to tell someone everything about yourself and having them be okay with it. It’s about knowing that no matter what happens in your life, you can always call your friends and they’ll be there for you.
I also think it means having someone who will listen when you’re upset or need advice without judging you.
I think this is something we all want in our lives but often don’t get because we get so caught up in our own lives and problems that we forget to reach out to the people around us. I know that when I need help with something, my friends are there for me but sometimes when I’m upset or angry at them (or myself), I forget that they’re there for me too.