What does the Bible say about friendship?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that godly friendship is a loyal, truth-speaking, mutually strengthening gift that reflects God’s steadfast love and helps believers persevere in faith. Proverbs 18:24 and 17:17 praise the friend who remains close in adversity, while Proverbs 27:17 and 27:6 show that faithful friends sharpen one another, even through loving correction. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 commends companionship because believers can help one another when they fall and stand firm together. Yet Scripture warns that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Christ gives friendship its highest pattern in John 15:13, laying down His life for His people and calling them to love one another sacrificially.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 18:24 7 votes
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Proverbs 27:17 5 votes
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
- John 15:13 5 votes
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- Proverbs 17:17 5 votes
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 5 votes
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 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. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 4 votes
Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 4 votes
Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
- Proverbs 27:9 3 votes
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
- Job 6:14 2 votes
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
- Proverbs 27:6 2 votes
The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
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