22 Jan Bible Verses About Friendship: 10 Readings to Help You Improve Relationships
Whether you are looking to make new friends, working on strengthening existing ones, or even trying to rebuild the relationships, the Bible has much to say about friendship. Let’s dive into our best Bible verses about friendship to seek guidance on our journey to being better friends, lovers and family members.
Best Bible Verses About Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Have you ever heard of the phrase ‘a friend in need is a friend in deed?’ Well, we are called to offer one another a shoulder to lean on in challenging situations.
A good friend is one who sticks and stands with their friends both in good and in bad times.
Friends are the people that God uses to comfort, encourage, and inspire us. Let’s cherish them at all times.
In our devotional ‘The Daily Proverbs‘ we mention the importance of staying in the moment to let friendships blossom.
Proverbs 27:9 (NIV) – “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
Good friends offer the best advice and guidance to one another.
It is their advice that helps us realize our mistakes when we falter, turn back to God when we are drifting away from Him, and press forward toward our goals. Their support through heartfelt advice adds so much value to our lives.
It’s like they add good things, which the Bible refers to as perfume and incense, that make us stronger and joyful.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) – “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.”
Healthy friendships help us thrive. You see, when we join hands together, we can do greater things if we have one will and one mind.
Life is not always made of good seasons. It has its twists and turns and sometimes we fall.
During such times, best friends come in handy by helping us get up again.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
While creating friendships, we are supposed to consider who we are befriending. We should not associate ourselves too much with people who drain us or who draw us down the wrong path.
Best friends should coach one another, offer accountability, and help lift one another up.
Make friends with people who share the same goals, faith, zeal, and interest with you so that they won’t discourage you when you want to pursue your dreams.
Romans 12:10 (NIV) – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
No relationship in the world can thrive without humility.
Best friends must devote themselves to one another and put other people’s interests before their own. If your friend does not care about your views or suggestions, then they are not your best friend.
This does not mean that we should neglect ourselves because of them. Rather, it means that we should consider hearing them out and weighing out situations.
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) – “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Good friends do not stab each other in the back. They don’t support their friends in doing evil things or things that may ruin their reputations, jobs, or families.
A friend holds a special place in their friend’s heart and helps them make informed decisions in trying times.
Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) – “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
There is no friendship without misunderstandings and conflicts.
Sometimes, we may offend our friends or get offended by them. But God offers a solution to all these should they happen in our friendships.
We are instructed not to expose our friends for the wrongs they have done to us. On the other hand, the friend who has offended the other should not take advantage of this to keep making the same mistake.
Let us solve our conflicts amongst ourselves and change for a healthier relationship.
SEE RELATED: Best Bible Verses for Trust
Job 6:14 (NIV) – “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
If we love our friends and show them kindness, we prove to the world that we belong to God.
Our friendships must reflect the love of God to the world and inspire others to spread love.
When people see us and witness what we do for our friends, they must see God, since God is love.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV) – “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
The love we spread in our friendships must stem from a pure heart and not from a heart filled with evil intentions.
We should not be like Delilah who only wanted to be close to Samson so that she could bring him to ruin.
Sincerity, honesty, and integrity must be the foundation of our friendships.
1 John 4:7 (NIV) – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Our friendships do not happen out of mere coincidence; they are planned by God Himself.
Therefore, let us love our friends in the same way that God loves us; unconditionally, endlessly, and without finding fault.
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