What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?

Friendship is a blessing and a source of strength in times of need. Friends share in the fun times and the bad. Good friends embody the values of loyalty, support, and mutual encouragement.

The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom about the importance of friendship and the qualities of being a friend.

One example of good friends in the Bible is the friendship between David and Saul’s son Jonathan. In spite of his father Saul’s pursuit of David and attempts to kill him, Jonathan stood by his friend. You can find that story in 1 Samuel: 18-20.

Here are some key verses (NIV) that highlight what the Bible says about friendship:

Proverbs 12:26

“The righteous choose their friends carefully.”

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Proverbs 18:24

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 27:9

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

Proverbs 27:17

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

The Apostle Paul said, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Even our closest friends aren’t perfect and can make mistakes needing forgiveness.

Jesus is the purest example of a true friend, because He loves us unconditionally, gave His life for us, and will never fail, forsake, or betray us. He teaches us about God, helps us when we need help, and stays with us all the time.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his 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” (John 15:13-15).

What’s more, anyone may become a friend of Jesus by trusting in Him as his personal savior and receiving new life in Him. Jesus is our best friend in the sense that He is the best friend imaginable. He is committed to us forever, and nothing can ever separate us from His love.