What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?
Key Scriptures and spiritual guidance on friendship
The Bible addresses friendship as a precious and valuable relationship that is characterized by love, loyalty, and mutual support. Proverbs offers wisdom on choosing friends wisely, emphasizing the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who uplift and encourage us. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us of the strength found in companionship, stating that two are better than one because they can help each other and provide support in times of need. Jesus himself exemplified the ultimate form of friendship by laying down his life for his friends, showing us the sacrificial nature of true friendship.
Bible Verses About Friendship
Proverbs 17:17KJV
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 18:24KJV
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10KJV
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
John 15:13KJV
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Proverbs 27:17KJV
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
1 Samuel 18:1KJV
“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
Proverbs 13:20KJV
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Go Deeper
Chat with Moses, David, or Paul about Friendship
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