If you are looking for Bible verses about friendship and what makes a good friend, these scriptures can help.
These verses remind us that true friends are a gift from God and that we should be good friends to others.
Below are 35 Bible verses about friendship, along with simple explanations to help you understand each one.
What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?
The Bible talks a lot about friendship. It teaches us how to be a good friend and what to look for in friends. Good friends can support us, encourage us, and help us when we are in trouble.
The Bible shows that friendship is important and that God made us to have relationships with others.
1. Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
This verse tells us that a true friend is always there for you, no matter what. They stick with you through good times and bad times.
2. Proverbs 18:24
“Some companions destroy each other, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse warns that some friendships can be harmful. But it also says there are friends who are even closer and more loyal than family.
3. Proverbs 27:9
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
Good friends offer helpful advice that can make us feel better and wiser. Their counsel is like a sweet-smelling perfume that brings joy.
4. Proverbs 27:6
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
A real friend might tell you hard truths that hurt for a moment, but they do it because they care. An enemy might seem nice, but their words are not genuine.
5. Proverbs 22:24-25
“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
This verse advises us to be careful about who we become friends with. Spending time with angry or easily upset people can lead us to act the same way and get into trouble.
6. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone and has no one to lift him up!”
This passage highlights the advantage of having a friend. When you work together, you achieve more. If one person stumbles, the other can help them up. Being alone can be very difficult.
7. Ecclesiastes 4:12
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will stand against him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
This verse continues the idea of companionship. It’s harder for someone to defeat two people than one. A strong friendship is like a cord made of three strands, which is very hard to break.
8. Job 6:14
“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
Even if someone is going through a really hard time and seems to be turning away from God, a true friend should still show them kindness and support.
9. 1 Samuel 18:1-4
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.”
This passage shows a deep and selfless friendship between Jonathan and David. Jonathan loved David like himself and was willing to give him his best, even things that were important to his own position.
10. Nehemiah 5:7
“After serious consideration, I confronted the nobles and the officials. I told them, ‘You are all exacting interest from your own people!’ Then I called a great assembly against them.”
When Nehemiah saw his people being treated unfairly by their own leaders, he spoke out. This shows that standing up for what is right, even against powerful people, is important, and friends can support each other in this.
11. Ruth 1:16-17
“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'”
Ruth’s words to her mother-in-law Naomi show an incredible loyalty and commitment. She chose to stay with Naomi and adopt her people and her God, showing a deep bond of friendship and love.
12. John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus said this, showing the ultimate example of love and friendship. A true friend is willing to make the greatest sacrifice for those they care about.
13. Proverbs 13:20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
This verse emphasizes the influence friends have on us. Being around wise people can make us wiser, while associating with foolish people can lead to bad outcomes.
14. Proverbs 19:4
“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor man is separated from his neighbor.”
This verse points out that sometimes people become friends because of money or status. However, when someone loses their wealth, many of those friends may disappear.
15. Proverbs 19:6
“Many seek the favor of a prince, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.”
Similar to the previous verse, this shows how people might try to befriend someone because they expect to receive something from them, like gifts or favors.
16. Proverbs 11:12
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.”
A good friend doesn’t put others down. Someone with understanding knows when to speak and when to stay quiet, especially if speaking would hurt someone.
17. Proverbs 16:28
“A twisted person deals in intrigue, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Gossip and deceit can ruin friendships. A trustworthy friend does not spread rumors or try to cause trouble between people.
18. Proverbs 17:1
“Better is a dry crust of bread with peace than a house full of rich food with strife.”
This verse suggests that having peace and harmony, even with very little, is better than having a lot of material things but living in conflict. This applies to friendships too; peace is more valuable than many gifts.
19. Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel starts.”
It’s easier to stop a fight before it begins, just like it’s easier to stop a small leak than a flood. Friends should try to resolve disagreements early.
20. Proverbs 14:4
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant is the yield from the strength of an ox.”
This verse uses farming as an example. If you don’t have animals to work the fields, there’s less mess, but you also get less harvest. Similarly, friendships require effort and can sometimes involve challenges, but the rewards are great.
21. Proverbs 14:21
“To despise one’s neighbor is a sin, but blessed is the one who is generous to the poor.”
This verse connects how we treat others, including neighbors and those less fortunate, to God’s favor. Being kind and generous, rather than looking down on people, is blessed.
22. Proverbs 12:26
“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
A good, righteous person can help guide their friends toward good choices. Wicked people, however, can lead their friends down harmful paths.
23. Proverbs 12:18
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Careless or angry words can deeply hurt a friend, like a sword. Wise words, on the other hand, can heal and comfort.
24. Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
This verse applies to friendships by showing the value of correction. A friend who loves learning will accept gentle correction, while someone who rejects it is not wise.
25. Proverbs 11:13
“Whoever goes about spreading slander is revealing secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.”
A trustworthy friend keeps secrets and doesn’t spread gossip. Someone who gossips breaks trust and reveals what should be kept private.
26. Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
This verse suggests that having wise advice from many people, including friends, leads to better decisions and safety. Friends can offer different perspectives.
27. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
When there is hatred, conflicts arise. But love is patient and forgiving, and it can overlook or cover up mistakes made by friends.
28. Proverbs 10:19
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
Talking too much can lead to saying the wrong thing. A wise person knows when to be quiet to avoid causing problems or hurting others.
29. Proverbs 10:4
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
This proverb talks about hard work leading to success. In friendship, being diligent and making an effort, rather than being lazy, can strengthen the bond.
30. Psalm 73:23-24
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me to glory.”
While this is a psalm about God’s presence, it shows that God walks with us and guides us. This is like having a faithful friend who is always with you and leads you.
31. Psalm 41:9
“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”
King David wrote this, expressing the pain of being betrayed by someone he considered a very close friend. This shows that even trusted friends can sometimes hurt us.
32. Psalm 141:5
“Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head; let my head not refuse it. But my prayers are against the evil deeds of the wicked.”
The psalmist says he would welcome a rebuke from a good person. He sees it as a kind act that helps him, like oil that soothes. This shows the value of honest feedback from a friend.
33. Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Jesus gives instructions on how to handle disagreements. The first step is to talk directly and privately with the person involved, showing that open communication is key in relationships.
34. Luke 11:5-8
“And he said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,” and though he will not get up and give him anything, because he is his friend, will he not in any case get up and give him whatever he needs because of his persistence? He asks persistently.'”
Jesus tells a story to show the importance of asking and not giving up. It also shows that friends will help each other, especially when there is a need.
35. Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
This verse calls believers to help each other carry their difficulties. Good friends support each other through tough times, sharing the load.
These Bible verses remind us that God values friendship and wants us to be good friends to others.
Whether you are looking for support or want to be a better friend, you can return to these scriptures for guidance.
Consider one or two verses that stand out to you and think about how you can apply them in your friendships.
Which Bible verse about friendship encourages you most? You can share it in the comments.