What does Bible Say about Friendship?

Friendship is one of the most important relationships in our lives. People start to make friends even in their infancy. Therefore, God gives us a number of teachings and Bible verses about friendship to help and guide His children to manage this relationship.

Let’s study what God says about friendship and be a better friend with his guidance.

Top 10 Teachings and Bible Verses about Friendship

1. A friend loves at all times

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

A true friend will support and love you no matter on what occasion. People believe that friends who can sustain you through the darkest moments of life are real friends. But actually, friends with who you can always share good news are also real friends as many people will envy their close ones.

2. Two are better than one

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

    two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

This Bible verse about friendship teaches us don’t ever walk alone in this journey of life. Two are better than one. You need support and ears willing to hear. If you fall down, of course, you can stand up by yourself. But with a friend’s effort, you can stand up faster.

3. Love one another just like Jesus does

John 15:12–15

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Jesus is the best friend and teacher we can have in our lives. He sets up models for how to love. He even loves his enemy, his opponents and those who doubt and kill him. And most importantly, he loves sinners like me and you. 

4. Forgive like God forgives us

Colossians 3:12–14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

When you cannot forgive a friend, just remember how many times you ignore and offend God. But how kind and patient God is! He forgives us as long as we confess and repent to Him. He always gives us open arms to hug us once we turn to Him. So imitate what God does and forgive like God forgives us.

5. Love and love each other deeply

1 Peter 4:7–9

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Our friends in church are the family members God chooses for us. They are more than just normal friends in this world. So cherish them and love each other deeply. It is the command of God.

6. How good and pleasant it is in unity

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is

    when God’s people live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head,

    running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard,

    down on the collar of his robe.

 It is as if the dew of Hermon

    were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

    even life forevermore.

In God’s will, Christians should live in unity pleasantly. But due to each other’s sin, it is not easy and natural to do so. Our ego is so strong that it sets us apart. But God requires us to think more about others. Even self-center is sinful. We should go back to what we were created and trained ourselves to interact in unity.

7. Gossip separates close friends

Proverbs 16:28

A perverse person stirs up conflict,

    and a gossip separates close friends.

Friendship means trust. Therefore no way to believe in and spread gossip, which can surely separate close friends. Believe in your friends and ignore what others who are not so familiar with say about them. Of course, you also need your own judgement in friendships.

8. Unreliable friends will ruin you

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is important for us to choose what kind of person to be friends with. Character is the most significant factor to consider. So choose those with noble character and reliability. An unreliable friend can set you back sometimes in the future. He will be like a bomb which is possible to ruin your life. If possible, be with someone with characters like Jesus or in the path following Jesus as walking with Jesus is the best way to learn how to be a good friend.

9. Friendship brings the joy of heart

Proverbs 27:9

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,

    and the pleasantness of a friend

    springs from their heartfelt advice.

Getting along with a good friend can bring tremendous joy to each other. Sharing a lot of funny things and the happiness of your life not only make two hearts closer but also people will be more delighted. Don’t forget to share your happiness and sadness with God who is our best friend. He’s always ready to listen to our hearts and pray for us at any moment.

10. Bad company corrupts good character

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

The best friend we can have in our life is definitely Jesus Christ Himself. He is the one who loves and saves you. He teaches you how to love and to be loved. Being in a relationship, such as friendship, is a way to learn how to love as Jesus does. Let’s follow the example of Jesus, as His disciple to love and grow, and experience His companion and wisdom in friendship.

Always remember to go back to the book to review the Bible verses about friendship to help us understand God’s will about this relationship and how to manage it with heavenly wisdom.

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