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
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron; So a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
- Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; So does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
- Job 6:14
"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
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; Although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Deuteronomy 13:6-9; Job 6:14; Job 6:15; Job 16:2; Job 16:20; Job 19:13-22; Psalms 35:13; Psalms 35:14; Psalms 41:9; Psalms 55:12-14; Psalms 88:8; Psalms 88:18
- INSTANCES OF
- Abraham and Lot Genesis 14:14-16
- Ruth and Naomi Ruth 1:16; Ruth 1:17
- Samuel and Saul 1 Samuel 15:35; 1 Samuel 16:1
- David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 23:16-18; 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 2 Samuel 9:1-13
- David and Abiathar 1 Samuel 22:23
- David and Nahash 2 Samuel 10:2
- David and Hiram 1 Kings 5:1
- David and Hushai 2 Samuel 15:32-37; 2 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 17:1-22
- David and Ittai 2 Samuel 15:19-21
- Joram and Ahaziah 2 Kings 8:28; 2 Kings 8:29; 2 Kings 9:16
- Job and his three “friends,” Job 2:11-13
- Daniel and his three companions Daniel 2:49
- Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, with Jesus Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-46
- The Marys, and Joseph of Arimathaea, for Jesus Matthew 27:55-61; Matthew 28:1-8; Luke 24:10; John 20:11-18
- Luke and Theophilus Acts 1:1
- Paul and his nephew Acts 23:16
- Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila Romans 16:3; Romans 16:4
- Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus Philippians 2:19; Philippians 2:20; Philippians 2:22; Philippians 2:25
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