What does the Bible say about friend?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that true friendship is a gift from God, marked by faithful love, wise counsel, sacrificial service, and mutual strengthening in godliness. Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times, while Proverbs 18:24 warns that many companions are unreliable but a faithful friend remains close. Proverbs 27:9 and 27:17 commend honest counsel and the sharpening influence of godly friendship. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 shows that companions help one another endure hardship. Above all, Jesus displays perfect friendship by laying down His life for His people and calling obedient believers His friends (John 15:12-15). James 2:23 also calls Abraham God’s friend, showing that friendship with God comes through trusting His gracious covenant promise.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
- Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; So does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
- Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron; So a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
[9] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. [11] Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? [12] If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- James 2:23
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness;" and he was called the friend of God.
- John 15:14-15
[14] You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
- John 15:12
"This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
- Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
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