Does the Bible say anything about friends?

what does the bible say?

There are great examples of godly friendships throughout the Bible. Jonathan was a friend who stuck “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) to David whom he loved “as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1). Daniel was a friend of high character who set a godly example for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by refusing to break God’s law (Daniel 1). Like a “threefold cord, not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to walk through fire together rather than disobey God—and survived unscathed by the flames (Daniel 3). Jesus displayed the greatest example of phileo and agape love by laying down His life for His friends (Matthew 26, Matthew 27) and told His disciples that if they were His friends, they would obey His commandments (John 15:12-14). Paul’s friends made a massive impact on the success of his ministry, and he explained the kind of behavior that friends should extend to each other, such as speaking the truth in love, holding each other accountable to uphold godliness, and faithfully praying for each other (Ephesians 4:15, James 5:16). The Bible also warns us about the disastrous results of ungodly “friendships.” Deuteronomy 13:6–11 and 2 Samuel 13:1–6, and Proverbs have much to say on using wisdom and discernment in friendships.

from the old testament

Moses solemnly warned the Israelites against following wicked friends who would draw them away from worshiping God and instead worship false idols (Deuteronomy 13:6–11).A powerful example of sacrificial love is the friendship displayed between David and King Saul's son, Jonathan. Jonathan was a fiercely loyal friend, even when it meant going against his father’s will (1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:12–17).David's life was saved by Jonathan, and when he died, David wrote a psalm of lament for his dearest friend (2 Samuel 1:18–27).An extreme example of a toxic friendship is found in 2 Samuel 13:1–6 when Jonadab persuaded David’s son, Amnon, to rape his half-sister, Tamar.The author of Proverbs warns us to use discernment in order to avoid becoming friends with wicked people (Proverbs 1:10–19; 4:14–19).Proverbs 17:17 contrasts the difference between friendship and brotherhood: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”We are warned in Proverbs 16:28 that gossip can separate close friends.The author of Proverbs spoke on the power of forgiveness and warned that grudges can break up close friendships (Proverbs 17:9).While slaves in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace, Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, risked their lives by jointly refusing to eat unclean food that would cause them to disobey God’s law (Daniel 1).In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego joined forces to obey God’s law by refusing to worship a false idol.

from the new testament

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus talked to His disciples about love and friendship: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” and commanded them to obey Him and love each other in the same way He loved them (John 15:12-14).Throughout the New Testament, Paul wrote to his friends who encouraged him, prayed for him, and took care of him. He specifically warned the church to choose friends wisely because "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV).In Ephesians 4:15, Paul instructed believers to speak the truth in love. This is an important principle to follow in our friendships, regardless of how difficult it can be at times.In James 5:16 believers are instructed to practice accountability in their friendships by confessing their sins to each other and praying for each other.

implications for today

Our relationships with our friends can either encourage us in our relationship with God or distract us from Him, so we must choose our friends wisely (Proverbs 1:10–19; 4:14–19). Despite the challenges inherent in relationships, engaging in true friendships and extending Christ’s love to our friends can be a profound opportunity for spiritual growth for us and them. John 15:12-14 encourages us to emulate Jesus’ sacrificial love, demonstrating that our interactions can become a means of mutual encouragement and deepened faith when rooted in His love. Ultimately, our goal should be to surround ourselves with friends who walk in the “paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:3). This means forming relationships with those who support our spiritual well-being and encourage us to live according to God's standards, rather than those who might lead us astray.