What Does The Bible Say About Friendship?

“There are friends who bring ruin,
but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.”
-Proverbs 18:24 (NABRE)

Can you remember those times when a Godly friend helped you through a difficult situation? On the other hand, have you been betrayed or hurt by someone close to you?

How do we become a good friend? And how do we find that kind of friendship that can lead us closer to God and assist us in times of need?

The Bible is filled with so many things we can learn about friendship. These verses are meant to guide us and help us find true friends as we continue to grow spiritually and find our way in life.

Here are some Bible verses that could help us learn more about what true friendship means:

“Better is an open rebuke
than a love that remains hidden.
Trustworthy are the blows of a friend,
dangerous, the kisses of an enemy.”
-Proverbs 27:5-6 (NABRE)

A true friend tells you the truth. It may hurt initially, but a friend will give you honest feedback, especially when it would help you see when you’re going down the wrong path.

Meanwhile, there are people who may flatter you but don’t really care about you in the end. There are even those who would stab you behind your back.

Learn to appreciate those who tell you the truth. This is one valuable sign that you can consider them as friends.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NRSVCE)

These verses reveal to us the importance of having a companion in life. No matter how strong we are, the time will come when we will need the help of people we can trust.

“Make no friends with those given to anger,
and do not associate with hotheads,
or you may learn their ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
-Proverbs 22:24-25 (NRSVCE)

This is a clear warning to stay away from bad company. If we allow ourselves to associate with those who have bad habits, wouldn’t it be probable to acquire those habits also?

“Walk with the wise and you become wise,
but the companion of fools fares badly.”
-Proverbs 13:20 (NABRE)

Instead of making friends with those who are foolish, let us learn to form friendships with those filled with wisdom.

Through their words and the good examples of their lives, we may also be inspired to improve our ways.

“Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.”
-Proverbs 17:9 (NABRE)

Don’t associate with those who gossip about other people. While you may treat them with respect and kindness, it is different from forming a close bond of friendship with them. Friendship requires trust and mutual respect.

Meanwhile, nobody is perfect. Even the best people fail sometimes. This is when forgiveness comes in.

“Those who withhold kindness from a friend
forsake the fear of the Almighty.
My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed,
like freshets that pass away,
that run dark with ice,
turbid with melting snow.
In time of heat they disappear;
when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
-Job 6:14-17 (NRSVCE)

When Job was in the most painful time in his life, those whom he thought were friends abandoned him and even criticized him.

True friends should be there for one another not only in good times but in bad times as well. This is the true test of friendship. Find friends who can be there for you just when you need them most.

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13 (NABRE)

Jesus gave us a very beautiful definition of what it means to be a friend. Having considered the apostles and all of those who would believe in Him as friends, He offered the greatest gift one could possibly give – His own life!

Can we follow the example of our Lord when it comes to being a friend? May God help us do so. And may He also help us find true friends to help us in our journey in life.

“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter;
whoever finds one finds a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price,
no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
those who fear God will find them.
Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship,
for as they are, so will their neighbors be.”
Sirach 6:14-17 (NABRE)

You may also want to read “Why Forgiving Others Feels So Hard—And How to Start”.

Jocelyn Soriano is the author of Mend My Broken Heart, Defending My Catholic Faith and 366 Days of Compassion. She also writes about faith and writing at Single Catholic Writer.